 In 1733 the requirements for a call to the Bar were significantly revised in a joint meeting between the Benchers of Inner Temple and Gray 's Inn , revisions accepted by Lincoln 's Inn and Middle Temple , although they were not represented . It is not recorded what these changes were , but after a further discussion in 1762 the Inns adopted a rule that any student with a Master of Arts or Bachelor of Laws degree from the universities of Oxford or Cambridge could be called to the Bar after three years as a student , and any other student could be called after five years . An attempt was made to increase the quality of legal education at Gray 's Inn ; in 1753 a barrister , Danby Pickering , was employed to lecture there , although this agreement ended in 1761 when he was called to the Bar . 
