File:The Honorable Society of King's Inns (HSKI).jpg

English: King's Inns

The Honorable Society of King's Inns (HSKI), is the institution which controls the entry of barristers-at-law into the justice system of the Republic of Ireland. The full title retains the historical spelling variant "honorable" in preference to the contemporary Irish/British "honourable"

King’s Inns was established in 1541, when lawyers named their new society in honour of King Henry VIII and successfully secured a lease of lands at Inns Quay (where the Four Courts are now located). By the end of the 18th century, the government of the day decided that it needed a building to house courts and so, in 1800, the noted architect, James Gandon, having just completed the Four Courts complex, was commissioned to design the present buildings on Constitution Hill. Henceforward, these would be the headquarters of the Benchers and the School of Law. The primary focus of the school is the training of barristers.

The Honorable Society of King’s Inns comprises benchers, barristers and students. The benchers include all the judges of the Supreme and High Courts and a number of elected barristers.

The School of Law is the oldest institution of professional legal education in Ireland. Its reputation is international with a long list of eminent graduates including former presidents of Ireland and of other countries, politicians and, of course, judges and barristers in practice throughout the English speaking world.