What kind of lawyer?


One of the key questions you must address when considering a career in the law is whether to become a solicitor or a barrister. Simply put, a barrister appears in court, while a solicitor works in a law firm. The term ‘lawyer’ applies to both.


However, the differences are much more complex. Some say it comes down to whether you are an individualist (barrister) or a team player (solicitor). While it is true that a barrister is almost always self- employed and connected to other barristers only by convenience, and a solicitor may be just one worker in a law firm of thousands of people, in reality the situation is less black and white. Barristers are often involved in


teamwork and some solicitors spend many hours on their own in a room drafting documents.


The decision as to which strand suits you best rests on a number of factors concerning your abilities, temperament and - dare we say it - financial circumstances. Over the page is a brief guide with some key facts, which may help you decide.


It is also possible to practise law as a legal executive (ILEX) lawyer - a qualified lawyer who is trained to specialise as an expert in a particular area of law. For more info on the route to ILEX qualification, go to www.lawcareers.net/solicitors/ILEX.


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