You must have heard the words 'bench' and 'bar' mentioned in the court, but what is their real meaning? Know, what the difference is between the roles of judges (bench) and lawyers (bar) and how they are connected in the judicial process!

If you have ever read or heard news related to the court, then words like "bench" and "bar" must have been mentioned. But do you know what do these two mean and what is the difference between them? Many people understand these words to be the same, whereas both of them are different important parts related to the court. Let's understand it in simple language.

What is a bench?

In simple words, "bench" means judges. When we talk about the bench in the court, it means the judges there who hear and give verdicts on the cases.

Many times in the court you must have heard that the "double bench" or "full bench" gave the verdict. This means how many judges were involved in hearing that case. For example:

Single Bench – If a case is being heard by only one judge.

Division Bench – When two judges together hear a case.

Full Bench – When three or more judges are involved in hearing a big and serious case.

Constitutional Bench – When five or more judges hear a constitutional issue in the Supreme Court or High Court.

The job of the bench is to do justice. The judges give the verdict by looking at the legal aspects, examining the evidence and listening to the arguments of the lawyers.

What is Bar?

Now let's talk about "Bar". Bar means a group of lawyers. That is, those who go to the court and fight the case on behalf of their clients are part of the "Bar".

There is an institution called Bar Council of India (BCI) in the country, which sets the rules and regulations for lawyers. Every state also has a "State Bar Council", where lawyers are registered and allowed to practice.

Why is the relationship between bench and bar important?

Both bench and bar are needed to run the judicial process properly in the court. If the lawyers (bar) present their arguments well, then the judge (bench) will be able to give the right decision. Both complement each other and play an important role in strengthening the judicial system.