EDIT

    @Transactional(readOnly=true)

    public <T extends DefinedTermBase> BeanItemContainer<T> buildTermItemContainer(Class<T> type, TermType termType) {

        clearSession();

        // TODO use TermCacher?

        List<T> terms = repo.getTermService().listByTermType(termType, null, null, orderHints, INIT_STRATEGY);

        BeanItemContainer<T> termItemContainer = new BeanItemContainer<>(DefinedTermBase.class);

        termItemContainer.addAll(terms);

        return termItemContainer;

    }