If you have ever been involved in a dispute with another person or a company and had to file a case in a court of law, you probably know the difference between a lawyer and a solicitor. However, most people are often confused with the variety of names for people in the legal profession who are there to help and assist you in coming out of a tricky situation. Some of these titles of legal persons are lawyer, solicitor, attorney, advocate, barrister, and counselor. In this article, we will take a closer look and try to differentiate between a lawyer and a solicitor.
A lawyer is a generic term used to describe a person who has taken a degree course and is qualified to work as a lawyer, a person who is certified to take up clients’ cases and represent them in a court of law. They are also qualified enough to give legal advice on all sorts of matters. So a lawyer is a person who can give legal advice and is trained in the subject of law.
In different countries, different terms are used to refer to legal persons who have received a degree in law and are qualified to stand in a court of law. While in the US, the term applied to lawyers is attorneys who practice law, in England and Wales, the term lawyer is considered to be an umbrella term that refers to any person trained in the subject of law and may be variously named as a barrister, solicitor, or a legal executive. In India, the term advocate is used for lawyers who can stand and plead for their clients in a court of law.
A solicitor is a specific type of lawyer. They seek trade or contributions and hold positions in government firms and departments. A solicitor solicits, which implies that they provide legal advice on many matters but do not stand in a court of law to plead with the jury like an attorney or an advocate.
Key Takeaways
- A lawyer is a generic term used to describe someone who has studied law and is qualified to give legal advice and represent clients in a court of law.
- A solicitor is a specific type of lawyer who seeks trade or contributions, holds positions in government firms and departments, and provides legal advice but does not stand in a court of law to plead with the jury.
- In different countries, various terms are used for legal professionals, such as attorneys in the US, barristers and solicitors in England and Wales, and advocates in India.
