What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?

The difference between a barrister and a solicitor lies in the areas of law in which they specialize. A barrister is a lawyer who specializes in representing clients in the courtroom. They usually specialise in a particular area of law and are experts in effectively arguing a case before a judge and jury. A solicitor, on the other hand, specializes in providing legal advice and assistance to clients outside of the courtroom. They might handle cases involving contracts, wills and trusts, and many other areas of the law. In Washington, a barrister is typically the lawyer that appears in court, presents legal arguments and advises the judge. Since barristers do not usually provide direct legal advice to clients, Washington State Law requires that they be supervised by a practicing lawyer or a legal professional who specializes in the particular case. Solicitors, on the other hand, are able to provide legal advice to individuals and companies, help clients draft contracts or wills, and provide assistance every step of the way from the legal consultation to courtroom appearances. In short, a barrister is the lawyer that stands up in court to argue the case and a solicitor is the lawyer that provides the background assistance and legal advice before the court case even begins.

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What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?

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