Bâtonnier

In some legal systems, the bâtonnier is the head of the legal profession (the bar).

Jersey

In Jersey, the Bâtonnier is head of the profession of advocate. The role includes administering the legal aid system for the island (the day-to-day administration is carried out by an Acting Bâtonnier, while the Bâtonnier decides appeals against the decision of the Acting Bâtonnier). The Bâtonnier formerly had a role in dealing with disciplinary matters involving advocates, but that role was removed in 2005.

France

In France, the role is primus inter pares (first among equals).

Election and function

Elected by the members of the bar for a term of two years, the Bâtonnier is the spokesman for lawyers registered in his bar.

But in addition, it has a real function of arbitration between lawyers and a function as mediator when a dispute arises between a lawyer and his client. He is also the one who appoints lawyers for the court. The successor of the Bâtonnier is elected before the end of the term of the latter. For one year, the designated Bâtonnier can increase his competence on various issues that he will have to address upon his entry into service.

Etymological origin

The location of the Sainte-Chapelle on the île de la Cité in Paris was in the 10th century a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas, who is one of the patron saints of lawyers. It was famously the site for the annual reopening of the parlement of Paris. The members gathered there to form the brotherhood of Saint-Nicolas, which was both a corporation and a religious order. The elected Chief of this brotherhood, at first called the prior, carried the banner of the order suspended from a pole or baston, during processions.