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Palpably obvious to the rest of society is an enduring idiosyncratic demeanor at the Bar. No doubt there is a certain charm to this benign haughtiness and acquired intellectual self-assuredness. Much if not all of this is performance, a performance that for many begins early in private prep schools and for others is studied and adopted with astute modulation first of the vocal chords and then of the very personality. In days gone by barristers would draw heavily on cigarettes to establish a deep, hoarse and arresting intonation in their address. But performance is far more significant and insidious than such jovial superficial devices. It creates and perpetuates a class myth that profoundly inculcates the legal profession and epitomises the bar. This is the purchased 'self 'barristers hang their practice on. Once acquired of course they can mock it, thrive at being against the institution they have sold their souls to be part of. This is the club and to be part of it requires genuine good underlying qualities of intellect, responsibility, and gravitas, but the myth requires more; it requires buying in on subtle rituals essential to the ordered,understood etiquette and conduct of business in court. When we all share the same manners we all get along.These manners are derived from the traditions of those entitled to parade the higher virtues and of course become enshrined in the rules of procedure. Aristocratic personality and the the written rules of the court become one. Common law is about looking back to discover the law. It seems that the Bar does likewise in determining what sort of people should frequent its chambers.

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