What is a barrister and what is a solicitor?

One of the basic features of the legal system is the division of lawyers into distinct professions. The two main ones and best known are barristers and solicitors. But what is the difference between the two and how does this affect legal education?

It's more than just what they wear.

Barristers primarily work in the courts or at tribunals, representing individuals or organisations by presenting evidence and marking arguments. Barristers are members of one of the four Inns of Court, part of the Bar and represented and regulated by the Bar Council. And yes, they're the ones who wear wigs and gowns, at least when they're actually in court.

Solicitors generally work outside the courts, mainly in offices but also in accompanying clients in particular situations. They prepare legal documentation and undertake actions on behalf of their clients. Solicitors are members of the Law Society and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. They don't have fancy robes or headgear and are generally found wearing suits or other office wear.

In terms of legal education, each profession has separate requirements which results in different pathways to them. Until recent years both followed a model known as the academic-vocational-training route and for the academic stage both required a Qualifying Law Degree (containing the Foundations of Legal Knowledge; a future post will go into more detail) or a degree in another subject plus a conversion Graduate Diploma in Law (again containing the FLK). In recent years the solicitors' route has been radically overhauled whilst the barristers' route remains much the same. The latter continues to influence the structure of Bachelor's degrees in Law but there are some law schools that offer greater variation to be able to follow either route or even neither. The Open University is one such.

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