The bar refers to the collective body of lawyers who are qualified and admitted to practice in a particular court or jurisdiction. In legal usage, it can describe the legal profession in general or the licensed attorneys authorized to appear before a specific tribunal.

The term is also used in discussions of bar admission, meaning the process by which a person becomes eligible to practice law after satisfying licensing requirements.

Bar Explained

Every jurisdiction has its own admission rules. In general, a person seeking admission to the bar must complete legal education requirements, pass a bar examination, satisfy professional responsibility requirements, and clear a character and fitness review.

The Term Bar in Different Legal Contexts

In everyday legal language, lawyers who represent clients are often described as the bar, while judges are often described as the bench. The phrase admitted to the bar means the lawyer has been authorized to practice in that jurisdiction.

The term can also appear in connection with bar associations, disciplinary systems, and court rules governing who may appear in a case.

Common Misconceptions About the Meaning of Bar

A common misconception is that the bar means only the bar exam. The exam is just one part of the broader admission process.

Another misconception is that admission to one bar automatically permits practice everywhere. Lawyers often need separate admission for each state or court in which they appear.