Legal institutions or pubs in north and south (4)

I believe the answer is:

inns

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'legal institutions or pubs' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'in north and south' is the wordplay.
'north' becomes 'N' (abbreviation).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'south' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'in'+'n'+'s'='INNS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inns that I've seen before include "Country taverns" , "Old hostelries or pubs" , "travellers' accommodation" , "Hotels" , "Drinking places (frequented by barristers?)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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