10 Sep the register of lawyers of Naples
The Naples Bar Association is the oldest in the world. It was established in 1780 by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon.
The register was compiled as an implementation of the On establishing the Neapolitan College of Advocates, a pragmatic of the King who established and regulated the Bar Association of Naples. It was an event of epochal significance: for the first time, indeed, the bar was recognized as an independent order, guaranteeing freedom and independence in professional activity, especially by keeping away from the influence of the Church, but also of the government itself.
The bar was divided into three classes: “lawyers“, “Law professors and lawyers” e “Prosecutors“. Within the Order, Furthermore, "the Censors" would have been identified by the same lawyers, which was nothing more than a disciplinary council to evaluate one's colleagues.
The law professors then have a separate chapter: in fact, they did not have to take any exams to become lawyers, but they were subjected to very strict control: if they were caught "defend causes that are notoriously unjust“, to behave improperly among colleagues (for example by gossiping about other lawyers) or mistreating court staff, they would even lose not only the toga, but also the chair at the University.
Graduates were forced to do three years of internship and eventually take an exam before the Bar Council before being enrolled in the Naples Bar, in a way not very different from the present one. Once registered in the register, the young lawyers in the first two years could only "advocate for the causes of the poor“.
The two best students of the academic year, selected by the Censors, they also had the opportunity to show off on three dates of the year by writing opinions and interpretations of the law to be declaimed before the Royal Chamber of Santa Chiara: it was a privilege for very few people that gave great prestige to future lawyers.
Another interesting innovation of Ferdinand IV's regulation is the fact that, at least in theory, everyone could become lawyers. At first it was expected that you must be "of civilian birth", subsequently the possibility of entering the legal profession was extended to people of modest social background but who, for "rarity in talent" or for particular skill in studies, they stand out over others. Studies were very expensive and only possible for noble families or for people who were quite rich, therefore the advocacy still remained a caste for a few. The poorest could try their luck by entering monasteries or by studying in ecclesiastical circles, but it was not a frequent choice in practice.