Barristers in England and Wales

Barristers in England and Wales are one of the two main categories of lawyer in England and Wales, the other being solicitors.

Barristers have traditionally had the role of handling cases for representation in court, both defence and prosecution. They are highly-trained legal advisers and courtroom advocates and appear in court when instructed by a solicitor. Strict rules are in place about what a barrister must do for the court, their client and how they must behave.

The word lawyer is a generic term, referring to a person who has read law and in some form, practises the law; this could also be deemed to include other legal practitioners such as legal-research consultants, licensed conveyancers and chartered legal executives.