i'm a law student and i can't decide which road to go down. i'm intersted in mainly human/family/criminal law but just can't decide.
2006-10-25 16:01:55 · 6 answers · asked by Georgia W 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
lawyer if you want to help people
barrister if you want to be a millionaire are
2006-10-25 16:10:36 · answer #1 · answered by q6656303 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have to look at what your chances are for clerkship or pupillage, because that's where the blockage is. If you can be a rainmaker -- if you have lots of good contacts as clients or if one of your parents is a successful solicitor or barrister, then you have a good chance of getting into practice.
Otherwise you pretty much need a First at Oxbridge to be guaranteed a place. Lacking that you will need to use initiative. Working first for the Government or the Military. Going abroad for a few years. There are time limits for starting your clerkship or pupillage after you finish your law or bar course.
So: it isn't exactly up to you: you have to look at the market for lawyers. Also, few lawyers get rich, although you hear about those all the time.
Finally, if you aren't quick on your feet and don't have a great and accurate memory, it will be hard to compete as a barrister. There is less pressure as a solicitor.
2006-10-25 23:23:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A barrister is a lawyer. And so is a solicitor. Are you trying to choose between being a barrister or a solicitor? I guess the most general way of describing the difference is to say that a solicitor provides legal advice, and general legal services (eg conveyancing, wills etc.) and a barrister provides representation (in court, for example). Your solicitor may represent you, though, if the case is before a magistrates' court.
2006-10-25 17:34:46 · answer #3 · answered by Martin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Barristers are lawyers. I'm genuinely surprised that as a law student you suggest they aren't. I think that your prospects would be better if you became a solicitor, although things are very hard for people looking for articles nowadays. If you find you've made the wrong choice for you, it is much easier to convert from being a solicitor to being a barrister than vice versa.
2006-10-26 01:43:52 · answer #4 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A barrister is a lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions who principally, but not exclusively, represents litigants as their advocate before the courts of that jurisdiction. In this regard, the profession of barrister corresponds to that part of the role of legal professionals found in the civil law jurisdictions relating to appearing in trials or pleading cases before the courts. However, barristers, as a profession, are also known for specialising in certain areas of the law, and for giving advice in relation thereto to clients referred to them.
2006-10-25 16:05:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
barrister definately..and just think how good you will look with the wig on
2006-10-25 16:29:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋