As a lawyer, I was sure you guys would be interested in this Friday fact! LOL!
Do you know the origin of the phrase “pass the bar?” The bar is actually the barrier between the well of the courtroom and the gallery. Most of the time, in my experience, it is a rail with a swinging door, but it doesn’t have to be.
The well of the courtroom is the area where the judge and jury sit and where the counsel tables are located. The gallery of the courtroom is where the audience sits.
A person that has “passed the bar” is a person that has earned the right to sit in the well of the courtroom at one of the counsel tables. They thus “pass the bar” each time they enter the courtroom and take their seat.
And, see, I know you thought passing the bar meant not going in for a drink at the local watering hole. And I guess you’d be right, too.
The area in front of the rail (bar) is the well; behind is the gallery
Jillian Chantal 
I never knew that. Thanks for the interesting fact.
By: Ciara Knight on October 29, 2010
at 1:45 am
Glad to impart some new info, Ciara!
By: sfcatty on October 29, 2010
at 7:26 am
Once again you’ve taught me something I didn’t know. I knew I kept you around for a reason! *cackle* 😉 Happy Friday, Jillian!
By: danicaavet on October 29, 2010
at 7:51 am
Glad to be kept around, Danica- I just hope I never run out of stuff to teach you ’cause you might kick me to the curb then! Happy Friday back at ya!
By: sfcatty on October 29, 2010
at 8:23 am
Ha. I sure didn’t know that. SWEET! Have a great day.
By: Lynn Rush on October 29, 2010
at 1:02 pm
Thanks, Lynn- you, too.
By: sfcatty on October 29, 2010
at 1:08 pm