Barristers and solicitors are two titles for legal professionals. The matters taken on by barristers are often more intricate and need more specialised knowledge. Common law attorneys, or “solicitors,” handle less complex legal issues. A barrister is a lawyer who specialises in representing clients in court and arguing on their behalf in open session, while a solicitor is someone who handles legal matters outside of the courtroom. Nevertheless, there are a few exceptions to this rule that we’ll discuss in further detail below.
Solicitor
People often consult a solicitor when they need to talk to a lawyer. Lawyers can find employment in a wide variety of settings, including private practises, public agencies, and nonprofits. They focus on certain areas of the law, such as family law, immigration and asylum law, civil litigation, and personal injury law. Solicitors often act as advisors to their clients, represent them in discussions, and create legal papers. This is an office job with some travel required for client meetings and court appearances. In their daily lives, customers frequently rely on the counsel of their solicitor, who will advise them on their legal rights and duties. In the magistrates’ courts, youth courts, county courts, and tribunals, lawyers have the right to represent their clients without further judicial approval. A solicitor can, among other things:
Practice law, handle client funds, work with lay clients, handle estate matters, transfer ownership of property, serve in corporate leadership roles, etc. In contrast, solicitors often hire barristers to fight their clients’ cases in court. This distinction allows lawyers to seek out barristers with specialised practises to represent their clients in specific legal matters, as barristers often have a deeper understanding of the law than generalist solicitors.
The public, however, is free to get in touch with a Barristers Chamber about pending or prospective cases. One of the primary distinctions between solicitors and barristers has always been that attorneys typically worked for businesses while barristers were independent contractors. The legal profession has changed throughout time to accommodate this structural divide; for example, barristers can now work for solicitor firms and can be instructed directly by lay customers by obtaining additional credentials. However, they are still not allowed to handle customer funds or transport any kind of property.
Barrister
Barristers are attorneys who focus on advocacy and often represent clients in legal proceedings. As advocates for their clients, they may be called upon to do everything from conducting initial client consultations to giving closing arguments in court. Outside of the courtroom, barristers in some regions may also offer assistance on legal matters.
After becoming a qualified barrister, most go through a term of pupillage to learn the ropes from more seasoned attorneys. After serving their pupillage, they become fully qualified barristers and can work independently. Barristers, unlike solicitors, wear wigs and gowns when appearing in court. Advocates are lawyers who practise at higher levels of court than solicitors; their primary function is to represent clients in court by arguing their cases in front of judges.
They are frequently sought for for their expert opinion because of their extensive legal training. In comparison to solicitors, barristers seldom deal directly with clients. A lawyer briefs them on the matter, and they have a set amount of time to consider the information presented to them. Following this evaluation, they will get ready for court with the client. As was previously noted, most barristers are self-employed and operate in Chambers with other barristers to split the expense of office space and administrative staff. However, barristers are now allowed to accept employment with a solicitor’s business if they so want.