• acting on behalf of clients in negotiations and occasionally representing them at tribunals or in court.


Being a solicitor is a tough but rewarding job. Many of those entering the profession work their way up through the ranks from newly qualified solicitor to associate to partner, often at the same firm.


On the other side of the profession, barristers offer advice on specific legal issues and represent clients in court. They receive their information and instructions through a solicitor. When not appearing in court, they work in chambers where they prepare their court cases and arguments.


Again, although barristers work in a huge variety of areas of law, the fundamental elements of the job remain largely the same. These include:


• advising clients on the law and the strength of their case;


• holding ‘conferences’ with clients to discuss their case;


• representing clients in court, including presenting the case and cross- examining witnesses; and


• negotiating settlements with the other side.


Having been called to the Bar, a barrister is then known formally as a


Further reading


Solicitors – www.lawcareers.net/solicitors see sections under “Read about”


Barristers – www.lawcareers.net/barristers see sections under “Read about”


‘junior’. He or she remains a junior until such time as he or she is made a Queen’s Counsel (QC), otherwise known as a ‘silk’. A QC is a senior barrister of at least 10 years’ practice who is regarded as having outstanding ability – only around 10% of barristers become QCs.


As for the different types of law, they are as multitudinous as grains of sand. However, at the broadest level, you can divide solicitors and barristers between those doing commercial work (ie, work for companies) and those involved with individuals. On the one hand, you could be a banking lawyer scrutinising a major loan by a bank to a corporation, while on the other you could be a personal injury practitioner advising an individual who has had a fall. Different practice areas are like different jobs: there’s very little that connects the everyday professional life of a human rights solicitor with that of a corporate one.


Turn over for more about the differences between solicitors and barristers…


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