Serjeants-at-law in United States

Serjeants-at-law Definition

A very ancient and the most honorable order of advocates at the common law. They were called, formerly, “countors,” or “serjeant-countors,” or “countors of the bench” (in the old law Latin phrase, band narratores) , and are mentioned by Matthew Paris in the life of John II., written in 1255. They are limited to fifteen in number, in addition to the judges of the courts of Westminster, who are always admitted before being advanced to the bench. The most valuable privilege formerly enjoyed by the Serjeants was the monopoly of the practice in the court of common pleas. A bill was introduced into parliament for the purpose of destroying this monopoly, in 1755, which did not pass. In 1834, a warranty under the sign manual was directed to the judges of the common pleas, commanding them to open the court to the bar at large. The order was received and complied with. In 1839, the matter was brought before the court and decided to be illegal. 10 Bing. 571 ; 6 Bing. N. C. 187, 232, 235. St. 9 & 10 Vict. c. 54, has since extended the privilege to all barristers. 3 Bl. Comm. 27, note.

Serjeants-at-law in Foreign Legal Encyclopedias

Back to Top

For starting research in the law of a foreign country:

Browse the American Encyclopedia of Law for Serjeants-at-law

Scan Serjeants-at-law in the appropriate area of law:

Explore other Reference Works

Back to Top

Legal Issue for Attorneys

A very ancient and the most honorable order of advocates at the common law. They were called, formerly, “countors,” or “serjeant-countors,” or “countors of the bench” (in the old law Latin phrase, band narratores) , and are mentioned by Matthew Paris in the life of John II., written in 1255. They are limited to fifteen in number, in addition to the judges of the courts of Westminster, who are always admitted before being advanced to the bench. The most valuable privilege formerly enjoyed by the Serjeants was the monopoly of the practice in the court of common pleas. A bill was introduced into parliament for the purpose of destroying this monopoly, in 1755, which did not pass. In 1834, a warranty under the sign manual was directed to the judges of the common pleas, commanding them to open the court to the bar at large. The order was received and complied with. In 1839, the matter was brought before the court and decided to be illegal. 10 Bing. 571 ; 6 Bing. N. C. 187, 232, 235. St. 9 & 10 Vict. c. 54, has since extended the privilege to all barristers. 3 Bl. Comm. 27, note.

This definition of Serjeants-at-law is based on The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary. This entry needs to be proofread.