The term ‘learned friend’ is used by a lawyer/barrister to refer to another lawyer/barrister in a Court. This term is commonly associated in the field of law for many years, not only lawyers or barristers but sometimes even judges also use the term learned friend/brother/sister etc.
Frankly speaking, there is no legal obligation that a lawyer should use the term learned friend to address his opponent, but when you are inside the court you will often see that lawyers address themselves as a learned friend. Have you ever wondered why do lawyers refer to themselves as learned friend?
The legal profession is one of the three professions which is traditionally treated as a learned profession. All the members associated with this profession are learned ones as they deal with knowledge, ideas, and ethics.
The legal profession is the most brilliant and attractive of a peaceful with the responsibilities both outside and inside in it. The legal profession is a service to society, the main aim of it is to protect citizens from social diseases. The legal profession is thus also treated as a noble profession as it protects and upholds the law. The purpose of the law is to preserve the moral sanctity that binds the society and lawyers are the social engineers to bring social change and development.
Thus the legal profession is historically one of the most respectful and honorable professions, that is why all the members associated with this noble learned profession are called as learned.
Besides this, referring to a lawyer/barrister as the learned friend by another lawyer/barrister is a British tradition which is followed in most countries.
