barrister

In the UK, a lawyer qualified by study at the Inns of Court to plead for a client in court. In Scotland such lawyers are called advocates. Barristers also undertake the writing of opinions on the prospects of a case before trial. They act for clients through the intermediary of solicitors. In the USA an attorney may serve the functions of barrister and solicitor.

Traditionally, in the highest courts, only barristers could represent litigants, but this distinction between barristers and solicitors was abolished in the 1990s. When pupil barristers complete their training they are ‘called to the Bar’: this being the name of the ceremony in which they are admitted as members of the profession. Barristers remain outside the Bar until they become Queen's Counsel, appointed on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, when they ‘take silk’ (wear a silk instead of a stuff gown) and are called ‘within the Bar’.

In Britain, a barrister is obliged to accept instructions from any client who wants their services, provided the case is within the lawyer's expertise and the client can pay the fee – the ‘cab rank rule’. The barrister is not, therefore, personally vouching for a client's case, and cannot turn down a case because of their perception of a client's guilt or innocence.