 A Bencher , Benchsitter or ( formally ) Master of the Bench , is a member of Pension , the governing body of the Honourable Society of Gray 's Inn . The term originally referred to one who sat on the benches in the main hall of the Inn which were used for dining and during moots , and the term originally had no significance . The position of Bencher developed during the 16th century when the Readers , for unknown reasons , decided that some barristers who were not Readers should be afforded the same rights and privileges as those who were , although without a voice in Pension . This was a rare practice and occurred a total of seven times within the 16th century , the first being Robert Flynt in 1549 . The next was Nicholas Bacon in 1550 , then Edward Stanhope in 1580 , who was afforded the privilege because , although a skilled attorney , an illness meant he could never fulfil the duties of a Reader . 
