0 a group of people or organizations who have close links and protect and help each other rather than anyone outside the group: --
1 a small group of people or companies that have a lot of power, especially when they work together to help each other: --
It was subject to the magic circle.
By widening the margin between those inside and those outside the magic circle, it heightens the aura of farce which has surrounded this tax ever since it was introduced.
That would not have become public property for a considerable time, if ever, had it not been for disputes within the magic circle of the people most concerned.
The old magic circle of five kept out many companies that had a proven capability to make programmes, and those companies resented that and squealed about it.
What is more, they are viewed with something less than absolute happiness by the parents of the children who do not get into this magic circle.
But no doubt he is delighted at having finally broken the "magic circle".
Some of them might be at greater pains to disguise the obvious contempt that they feel for those who are not within the magic circle.
It is hardly likely to encourage those who do not get into the magic circle to continue to serve.
