is a counsellor learned in the law, admitted to plead at the bar, and there to take upon him the protection and defence of clients. They are termed jurisconsulti; and in other countries called recitati in jure; and anciently barristers at law were called apprentices of the law, in Latin apprentici juris nobiliter. The time before they ought to be called to the bar, by the ancient orders, was eight years, now reduced to five; and the exercises done by them (if they were not called ex gratia) were twelve grand moots performed in the inns of Chancery in the time of the grand readings, and 24 petty moots in the term times, before the readers of the respective inns; and a barrister newly called is to attend the fix (or four) next long vacations the exercise of the house, viz. in Lent and Summer, and is thereupon for those three (or two) years styled a vacation barrister. Also they are called utter barristers, i.e. pleaders after the bar, to distinguish them from benchers, or those that have been readers, who are sometimes admitted to plead within the bar, as the king, queen, or prince's council are.