MFS INSTITUTIONAL TRUST, 485BPOS, EX-99.9(B), 2000-10-27

MFS INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
485BPOS, EX-99.9(B), 2000-10-27

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                                                            EXHIBIT NO. 99.9(b)

                              LEGAL OPINION CONSENT


I consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No.
20 to the Registration Statement (File Nos. 33-37615 and 811-6174) (the
"Registration Statement") of MFS(R) Institutional Trust (the "Trust"), of my
opinion dated October 11, 2000, appearing in Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to
the Trust's Registration Statement, which was filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on October 13, 2000.



                                              JAMES R. BORDEWICK, JR.
                                              --------------------------
                                              James R. Bordewick, Jr.
                                              Assistant Secretary

Boston, Massachusetts
October 24, 2000