23 July 2025
While this may be true in some cases, the reality of legal work in the UK is much broader and more nuanced. Interestingly, the term lawyer doesn’t have a formal definition in UK law. It’s a general term that refers to any licensed legal professional qualified to offer legal advice or services. In the UK, both solicitors and barristers fall under this umbrella.
So, what does a lawyer actually do? And how do solicitors and barristers differ? Let’s break it down.
What Does a Lawyer Do?
A lawyer’s responsibilities can vary significantly depending on their role and legal specialism. Broadly, lawyers may be involved in:
What Is a Solicitor?
A solicitor is a legal professional who provides advice and representation to clients. These clients could include individuals, companies, or public bodies.
Solicitors typically:
Areas Solicitors May Specialise In:
How Can a Solicitor Help You?
Solicitors are often the first point of contact in a legal matter. Here’s how they typically assist:
Legal Paperwork & Advice
From drafting contracts to reviewing legal documents, a solicitor ensures everything is accurate and compliant with UK law.
Negotiation
They help negotiate settlements, financial claims, and terms of agreements with opposing parties.
Case Preparation
If your case goes to court, your solicitor will prepare all necessary documentation and may instruct a barrister to represent you.
What Is a Barrister?
A barrister is a type of lawyer who specialises in courtroom advocacy and giving expert legal opinions. They are usually brought into a case when it requires specialist legal argument or is going to court.
Most barristers are self-employed and work from chambers, although some work for government agencies or large firms.
Key Responsibilities of a Barrister:
How Is a Barrister Instructed?
In most cases, you will not contact a barrister directly. Instead, your solicitor will “instruct” a barrister on your behalf. However, in certain situations (via the Public Access Scheme), individuals can go directly to a barrister for legal advice or court representation.
Barrister vs Solicitor: What’s the Difference?
|
Aspect |
Solicitor |
Barrister |
|
Role |
Day-to-day legal advice, paperwork, case management |
Specialist court representation and legal advocacy |
|
Client Contact |
Works directly with clients |
Usually instructed by a solicitor |
|
Regulation |
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) |
Bar Standards Board (BSB) |
|
Court Appearance |
May appear in lower courts |
Appears in higher courts |
|
Work Setting |
Law firms or in-house |
Usually self-employed, based in chambers |
|
Special Rule |
N/A |
Must follow the Cab Rank Rule (they can’t refuse a case without a valid reason) |
Do You Need a Solicitor or a Barrister?
It depends on the nature of your legal issue:
Need Legal Help?
Whether your situation calls for a solicitor, a barrister, we can guide you through the process. We can support clients across a wide range of legal matters, from everyday legal concerns to complex court cases.
Call us on 01202 294411 or contact us online to find out how we can help you.
