What is a “legal bar”?

The word “bar” shows up in many ways in the legal profession.  But what does a bar have to do with the law?  Bar has many different meanings within  the practice of law.

Gallery and "Bar": Dayton, TN Courtroom, Site of the Scopes Monkey Trial

First “the bar” as in passing the bar exam and being admitted to the bar.

When a person graduates law school they possess a Juris Doctor degree, but in most jurisdictions this degree does not allow you to practice law.  You have to take a bar exam in your state.  If you pass the bar exam you can then be admitted to the bar and be licensed to practice law.

But what does the word bar have to do with it? The terminology comes from the “bar” or railing which divides the judge’s bench and lawyers tables from the public area of the courtroom also called the gallery.  No one except officers of the court (judges and attorneys), and employees of the court (clerks, bailiffs) can go past the bar without express permission of the judge, a bailiff or another officer of the court.  So when an attorney is admitted to the bar, he/she may go past the bar at anytime, this person is now an officer of the court.  Attorney Jim Purple was admitted to the bar in 1983.

Second a legal bar: (not a bar frequented by attorneys)

In most states and jurisdictions there are laws, court rules, or equitable principles which may operate as a “legal bar.”  One such law would be statutes of limitations, a law which requires you to file a legal action or law suit within a certain period of time or be forever barred (prevented) from filing your law suit.  For example, in Tennessee if you are injured in an automobile accident you have one (1) year from the date of the accident to file suit, or you will be barred.

A legal bar also often times refers to the “bar association” which is a professional organization comprised of attorneys, and focused on enhancing the legal profession.  There are local and state bar associations, and of course the Federal Bar Association.  Check out the Chattanooga Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association

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