The language of the Bar - a glossary of terms
The Bar Council	This is the governing body for barristers. Amonst other things it regulates the provision of education and training
Inns of Court	There are four Inns of Court (Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple and Gray's Inn), all in the same corner of London. These are principally non-academic societies which provide collegiate activities and support for barristers and student barristers, including advocacy training and continuing education. Membership of an Inn is recommended from the vocational stage of training onwards.
Call	The Inns also provide the mechanism by which people literally become barristers - or are called to the Bar. At the moment, students are eligible to be called on the completion of the one year stage of training.
Chambers	Independent barristers are self-employed, but are usually grouped together to form chambers. Every chambers has an experienced barrister at its head, a number of members of varying seniority and usually a clerk who is responsible for distributing work among members. Members are also known as tenants.
Dining	Before you can be called to the Bar, you have to attend a certain number of formal dinners at your Inn. These are designed to foster collegiate links and are often followed by after-dinner events with an educational purpose.
Mini-Pupillage	A short period of work experience, usually about a week, generally undertaken whilst at university.
Mooting	A moot is a legal debate on a point of law. It's not compulsory to get involved in mooting societies, but it's extremely useful experience which you can gain either at university or as a student member of an Inn.
Pupillage	This is the "apprenticeship" served by trainee barristers, who are known as pupils. It usually takes a year and consists of a mixture of assisting and observing experienced barristers, as well as more practical experience. Training is overseen by a fairly experienced figure, known as a pupil-master or pupil-mistress.