In many parliaments and other similar assemblies, seating is typically arranged in banks or rows, with each political party or caucus grouped together. The spokesmen for each group will often sit at the front of their group, and are then known as being on the frontbench and are described as frontbenchers. Those sitting behind them are known as backbenchers.

In the United Kingdom parliament, the Government frontbench is traditionally on the right hand side as seen by the Chairman (typically the Speaker of the House of Commons or the Lord Chancellor), and is occupied by Government ministers. The opposition frontbench is occupied by shadow ministers, of which the most senior form the Shadow Cabinet.