The difference between lawyers, attorneys, solicitors, and barristers depends on the legal system and jurisdiction they are practising in. As a way to describe the main differences:
- A lawyer is a general term for any individual who has acquired a legal qualification and is qualified to practice law. A lawyer can be a solicitor, a barrister, or an attorney, based on their role and specialization.
- An attorney and lawyer are synonymous. The term attorney comes from the French term "attorney", which refers to "acting on behalf of others". This is the primary way to describe a lawyer in the US and Canada.
- A solicitor is a type of lawyer who specialises in providing legal advice and services to clients, such as documenting, researching, or negotiating agreements. A solicitor typically operates inside a law firm or government department and is focused on a specialised practice. If necessary, a solicitor may brief a barrister to appear before the court for their client.
- A barrister is a type of lawyer who specialises in representation in court. A barrister usually practises independently or in a small group of other barristers, known as a chamber. A barrister usually has excellent knowledge and experience in one field of law, such as criminal law, family law, or commercial law. A solicitor often instructs a barrister to represent their client in complex or high-profile cases.
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