profession in Canada. A bencher in the Canadian context is a member of the board of directors of a provincial law society. Most benchers are lawyers, but in some provinces there are also lay benchers who represent the public interest. In some provinces the head of the board is known as the treasurer. Paralegals are also elected as benchers, in those provinces where law societies govern their profession. See also Bench (law) Crossbencher References Halsbury's Laws of England, Barristers, para.431 External links Legal profession to 1850 from Inner Temple Benchers at Lincoln's Inn Legal professions Bar of England and Wales