Becoming a Bencher

The Under Treasurer maintains a Register, on behalf of the Advisory (Benchers) Committee, of members over 20 years Call who have indicated their willingness to take part in the governance of the Inn by submitting a completed Bench Register form (see below). Those on the Register form a pool from which candidates for election to the Bench are drawn.

Members of at least 15 years Call may also be nominated for consideration at a particular election by at least five other members of the Society, and details of the nomination process are provided on the Inn's website when vacancies for Ordinary Benchers are declared by Council, in January and June each year.

As part of the election process the Advisory (Benchers) Committee submits selected names for the consideration of Council from among those whose names are on the Register and those for whom there are valid nominations when vacancies are declared.

If you are a member of the Inn of 20 years’ Call or more and have not provided a completed form for the Bench Register (or you wish to submit a new one to reflect some significant change from a previous form), please download and complete the proforma below. It will also greatly assist the Committee in their difficult task of sifting information from a large number of people if you would also provide a CV - even if the information you give may be duplicated.

Save in exceptional cases, Benchers are expected to sit on committees of the Inn, to take their turn dining in Hall on a rota basis and, if possible and appropriate, attending Chapel on Sundays; to take part when available in the Inn’s education programme for students; and generally to assist in the running of the Inn’s affairs.

While there is no annual subscription, those elected are asked to pay a ‘Bench Fine’, currently £1,500, before taking up their Bench privileges; and term commons of £70.50 which pays for the first dinner in any dining term (ie, four times per year).

Downloadable form for Bench Register:
Download proforma

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NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION OF ORDINARY BENCHERS

Nominations are invited of candidates for election as new Ordinary Benchers in November 2010.

Candidates must be Members of the Society of at least 15 years Call and have been members for at least ten years.

Nominations must be supported by five or more Members of the Society, each being either an Ordinary Bencher or a Member of at least five years’ Call. They must be satisfied that the candidate will be willing and able to contribute actively to the life and governance of the Inn.

Nomination forms, which can be obtained from the Treasury Office or by clicking < here > to download a copy, must reach the Under Treasurer by no later than 5 pm on Friday 17 September 2010.