Solicitor vs. Barrister — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 28, 2024
Solicitors offer legal advice directly to clients, handling routine matters, whereas barristers specialize in court advocacy and litigation.
Difference Between Solicitor and Barrister
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Solicitors typically manage legal affairs, providing advice, preparing documents, and conducting negotiations for clients. Whereas, barristers are primarily involved in courtroom representation and providing specialist legal advice.
Solicitors often have direct and ongoing relationships with their clients, managing cases from start to finish. On the other hand, barristers are usually hired by solicitors to represent a case in court after initial preparations are done.
Solicitors are employed within various legal settings, including law firms, corporations, and government agencies, dealing with a broad range of legal matters. Conversely, barristers are generally self-employed and specialize in particular areas of law.
Solicitors can represent clients in lower courts; however, their primary role is out of court legal work. Meanwhile, barristers are trained advocates who have the right to represent clients in higher courts.
Solicitors have the capability to become partners in their law firms and can have a more varied day-to-day job role. Barristers, however, focus more on advocacy before the courts and often work more independently.
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Comparison Chart
Main Role
Legal advice, document preparation
Courtroom advocacy, specialist advice
Client Interaction
Direct, ongoing
Indirect, case-specific
Employment Type
Law firms, in-house, government
Mostly self-employed
Court Representation
Lower courts primarily
All levels of courts
Specialization
Broad, general practice
High specialization in areas of law
Compare with Definitions
Solicitor
Engages in negotiations and legal settlements on behalf of clients.
Their solicitor negotiated a settlement that avoided a lengthy trial.
Barrister
Primarily receives cases referred from solicitors and does not usually have direct client contact.
The barrister reviewed the case files sent over by the solicitor.
Solicitor
Typically part of a law firm and deals with public or private legal matters.
She consulted her solicitor about starting a new business.
Barrister
Represents clients in higher courts where expert advocacy is required.
The barrister was admitted to argue before the Supreme Court.
Solicitor
Can undertake legal processes like conveyancing and probate.
The family solicitor handled the estate's probate process efficiently.
Barrister
Works independently, often in 'chambers' with other barristers.
She works in a chambers known for its formidable criminal law barristers.
Solicitor
Works collaboratively with barristers when specialized advocacy is required.
The solicitor briefed a barrister for the upcoming high-stakes trial.
Barrister
A legal professional specializing in courtroom advocacy, often providing expert advice on complex cases.
The barrister's eloquent closing argument swayed the jury.
Solicitor
A legal professional who advises clients, prepares legal documents, and may represent clients in lower courts.
The solicitor drafted the contract that would later be crucial in the dispute.
Barrister
Specializes in a particular area of law, such as criminal, family, or corporate law.
He is a well-respected barrister in the field of intellectual property law.
Solicitor
A solicitor is a legal practitioner who traditionally deals with most of the legal matters in some jurisdictions. A person must have legally-defined qualifications, which vary from one jurisdiction to another, to be described as a solicitor and enabled to practise there as such.
Barrister
A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation.
Solicitor
A member of the legal profession qualified to deal with conveyancing, the drawing up of wills, and other legal matters. A solicitor may also instruct barristers and represent clients in some courts.
Barrister
A person called to the bar and entitled to practise as an advocate, particularly in the higher courts.
Solicitor
A person who tries to obtain business orders, advertising, etc.; a canvasser
She had been a telephone solicitor for a Chicago newspaper
Barrister
A lawyer who is authorized to appear and present cases at any court in a jurisdiction.
Solicitor
One that solicits, especially one that seeks trade or contributions.
Barrister
A lawyer with the right to speak and argue as an advocate in higher lawcourts.
Solicitor
An attorney holding a public office that handles cases involving a city, state, or other jurisdiction.
Barrister
Counselor at law; a counsel admitted to plead at the bar, and undertake the public trial of causes, as distinguished from an attorney or solicitor. See Attorney.
Solicitor
Chiefly British An attorney who advises clients on legal matters, represents clients in certain lower courts, and prepares cases for barristers to present in the higher courts.
Barrister
A British lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law
Solicitor
(Canadian) A barrister and solicitor; a lawyer.
Solicitor
One who solicits.
Solicitor
In many common law jurisdictions, a type of lawyer whose traditional role is to offer legal services to clients apart from acting as their advocate in court. A solicitor instructs barristers to act as an advocate for their client in court, although rights of audience for solicitors vary according to jurisdiction.
Solicitor
In English Canada and in parts of Australia, a type of lawyer who historically held the same role as above, but whose role has in modern times been merged with that of a barrister.
Solicitor
In parts of the U.S., the chief legal officer of a city, town or other jurisdiction.
Solicitor
(North America) A person soliciting sales, especially door to door.
Solicitor
One who solicits.
Solicitor
An attorney or advocate; one who represents another in court; - formerly, in English practice, the professional designation of a person admitted to practice in a court of chancery or equity. See the Note under Attorney.
Solicitor
A petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
Solicitor
A British lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents
Common Curiosities
Can solicitors represent clients in higher courts?
Solicitors can represent clients in lower courts, and some can gain qualifications to represent in higher courts, but typically barristers handle such representations.
What is a 'chambers' in the context of barristers?
'Chambers' refers to the shared offices where barristers operate independently but share administrative functions.
What is the primary difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
Solicitors generally provide broad legal advice and handle case preparations, while barristers specialize in court advocacy.
How does one become a barrister?
Becoming a barrister requires completing academic qualifications, Barrister-at-Law degree, and undergoing pupillage.
Can a solicitor become a barrister?
Yes, a solicitor can retrain as a barrister by fulfilling additional education and training requirements.
How do solicitors and barristers work together?
Solicitors often hire barristers to provide specialist legal representation and advice in complex cases.
What legal matters does a solicitor handle?
Solicitors handle a variety of matters including contracts, real estate transactions, and family law.
Who deals with legal documentation?
Solicitors typically handle legal documentation and agreements, while barristers focus on case preparation and court documents.
Which type of lawyer should I contact for divorce proceedings?
Initially, a solicitor to handle documentation and advice; a barrister can be involved for court proceedings if needed.
What does it mean if a barrister is 'instructed' by a solicitor?
This means a solicitor has engaged a barrister to provide specialized legal representation or advice for a client's case.
Are barristers more expensive than solicitors?
Barristers can be more expensive due to their specialized court skills and representation in higher courts.
What does it mean when a barrister 'takes silk'?
A barrister 'taking silk' refers to being appointed as a Queen's Counsel (QC), a status denoting seniority and expertise.
Who has a broader scope of practice, a solicitor or a barrister?
Solicitors usually have a broader scope of practice, dealing with various legal matters; barristers specialize in specific legal areas.
Can barristers negotiate settlements?
Barristers typically focus on advocacy; negotiation of settlements is usually handled by solicitors.
Is the training period longer for a barrister or a solicitor?
Both professions require extensive training, but barristers also need to complete pupillage, which is intensive court-focused training.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
