2007-08-03 17:10:04 · 9 answers · asked by I am mizz chilly 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Tmess2 is correct about the difference between solicitors and barristers.
In common usage, the two terms mean the same thing.
However, some states do define them differently. One refers to someone licensed to practice law in THAT state, and the other refers to someone licensed to practice law in ANY state. However, states are not consistent in which term refers to which.
Most don't make the distinction, but even then, some only consider one of them to have formal legal meaning.
2007-08-04 02:14:59 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the United States, the terms mean the same thing as there is a "unified" bar. A "unified" bar means that all lawyers -- whether they merely draft documents and give legal advice or they actually appear in court have to be members of the bar and pass the same test.
In most countries, there is a difference between those who appear in court and other forms of law practice. You have to pass a second set of exams in these countries to appear in court (and typically need further education than those who merely give legal advice and draft documents). Because some people who publish statistics do not consider this second set to be "lawyers," comparisons of the number of lawyers in the U.S. (which includes both sets) to the number of lawyers in other countries (which only include the first set) is not a fair comparison.
2007-08-03 17:36:18 · answer #2 · answered by Tmess2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, not much even if you ask them. Here was my answer.
In everyday usage, the terms are virtually synonymous. Indeed, a quick poll of lawyers at my office found none who really thought there was any difference. But if we stick to our dictionary guns, there is a definite distinction.
As a side note, the British have several additional terms for people who practice law. "Lawyer" is a general term describing all of them. "Solicitors" do most of the office work, draft documents, talk to clients, etc., and may only appear as advocates in the lower courts. "Barristers" do most of the trial work, especially in the higher courts, where they are the only ones who may act as advocates. "Attorney" has pretty much the same meaning in Britain as in America--one who acts on behalf of another.
2007-08-03 17:15:08 · answer #3 · answered by halestrm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're basically the same thing.
They both mean: One whose profession is to give legal advice and assistance to clients and represent them in court or in other legal matters.
Basically, just synonyms.
2007-08-03 17:20:57 · answer #4 · answered by sweetmunkie93 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think there the same.just different names for them.maybe if someone looked it up they might of been called one or the other years ago.
2007-08-03 17:16:40 · answer #5 · answered by dcrc93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way they're spelled. There is no difference.
2007-08-03 17:12:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does it matter? They both screw you over some time or another.
2007-08-03 17:17:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Same thing.
2007-08-03 17:12:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
one is an *** hole. one is a low life scum bag. only they can tell the diff
2007-08-03 17:21:43 · answer #9 · answered by Cheryl F 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋