The Society of Gentleman Practisers in the Courts of Law and Equity was founded in either 1739 or 1740 by 28 elite London-based attorneys and solicitors.
[4] This act attempted to regulate the solicitors and attorneys (as well as ecclesiastical court proctors) by instituting a compulsory five-year articleship and the society supported this.
Though the barristers had their ancient Inns of Court, they were somewhat late in setting up organisations dedicated to maintaining professional standards – only reforming education following the 1854 Royal Commission.
[1][7] As part of its drive to maintain standards the society attempted to expose "unworthy" attorneys, though it often lacked the necessary resources to do so.
[2] It attempted to standardise the training and qualifications of solicitors and attorneys and to close the social gap between them and the barristers.