Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 7 down vote favorite

What is the difference between solicitor and barrister?

share|improve this question
As an American English speaker, this has me curious too. Not familiar with the intricacies of English (as in England) legal system. – Aequitarum Custos Feb 20 '11 at 20:42
1  
I've flagged this question as off-topic because, as far as I can tell, this is really a legal question, not an English question. – waiwai933♦ Feb 20 '11 at 21:00
1  
This seems like a fine word choice question to me. – mmyers Feb 23 '11 at 17:41

2 Answers

up vote 7 down vote

Solicitor and barrister have a different meaning, in American and British English.

In British English, they mean:

  • Solicitor: a member of the legal profession qualified to deal with conveyancing, the drawing up of wills, and other legal matters.
  • Barrister: a lawyer entitled to practice as an advocate, particularly in the higher courts.

In American English, they mean:

  • Solicitor: a person who tries to obtain business orders, advertising, etc.; a canvasser; the chief law officer of a city, town, or government department.

Barrister is not used, in American English.

[Reference: the New Oxford American Dictionary.]

share|improve this answer
3  
Until very recently, a barrister was not entitled to deal directly with clients; a client would deal with a solicitor, who would prepare the case and file it with the court. If the case actually goes to court, a barrister (or a solicitor advocate after 1990) would be referred by the solicitor and would advocate for the client in court. – Richard Gadsden Feb 20 '11 at 22:29
up vote 2 down vote

They are both lawyers, but a barrister has passed the Bar.

The Bar is an examination (from Wikipedia):

A bar examination is an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction.

share|improve this answer
So someone can practice law without having passed a Bar Exam in England, or is it that a solicitor is similar to a paralegal in the US? They can do most of the legal research/document writing, but must be supervised by a lawyer who has passed the bar. – Aequitarum Custos Feb 20 '11 at 20:46
Solicitors offer legal advice. Solicitors will normally engage the services of a Barrister if their client has to go to court, but if they are sufficiently qualified (in England and Wales at least) they don't have to. Wikipedia has good articles on both: Barrister, Solicitor – Matt Эллен Feb 20 '11 at 21:03
It might be worth saying a few words about "the bar" in this context. – dmckee Feb 20 '11 at 21:24
Fair point. Done. – Matt Эллен Feb 20 '11 at 21:29
3  
that bears no resemblance to the English definition of the Bar. A Solicitor is a lawyer of the Supreme Court and is qualified to practice law. – Richard Gadsden Feb 20 '11 at 22:28

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.