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Pedants' corner

Lawyer? Shouldn't that be Solicitor?

81 replies

nickytwotimes · 22/07/2008 20:47

So says dh anytime he hears lawyer being used outwith USA copntext.

Is he right?

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EffiePerine · 22/07/2008 20:48

surely a lawyer can be either a solicitor or a barrister?

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Hulababy · 22/07/2008 20:49

Lawyer in the UK is a generic term, so means anyone who works within the law, so could be solicitor, barrister, leagal exec, etc.

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nickytwotimes · 22/07/2008 20:49
OP posts:
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nickytwotimes · 22/07/2008 20:49

x-posts.
Thank you Hulababy.

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AllFallDown · 23/07/2008 12:01

Lawyer means barrister or solicitor, not anyone who works within the law.

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Hulababy · 23/07/2008 19:34

Legal exec comes under the term lawyer IME.

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FluffyMummy123 · 23/07/2008 19:35

Message withdrawn

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Hulababy · 23/07/2008 19:47

Well, some do.... :D

DH's biggest bug bear is when people think a barrister is a promtion from solicitor.

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MadamBovary · 24/07/2008 22:27

Barristers are above solicitors in the legal pecking order aren't they? I think that Barristers only appear in court but solicitors mainly work in law practices with some court appearances

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FluffyMummy123 · 24/07/2008 22:28

Message withdrawn

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TotalChaos · 24/07/2008 22:28

Not always MadameB, it is possible for solicitors to train to be allowed Higher Rights of Audience.

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Hulababy · 24/07/2008 22:29

Barristers are no more qualified that a solicitor. Infact solicitors do a year longer training.

They are just two very different jobs within the law.

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MamaG · 24/07/2008 22:29

wot hula said

I ususally describe myselof as a lawyer becuase when I say "paralegal" I always get "whats that?" and I just got sick of explaining it

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MamaG · 24/07/2008 22:30
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FluffyMummy123 · 24/07/2008 22:30

Message withdrawn

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margoandjerry · 24/07/2008 22:32

and to tell my BIL (solicitor) that my sis (barrister) is higher than him in the pecking order. I mean she is at home, obviously but I don't think he's accept that she is officially too.

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MamaG · 25/07/2008 09:42

I'm the bottom of the food chain, lawyerly

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whoops · 25/07/2008 09:44

I work with as legal cashier can I call my self a Lawyer

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AnnBoleyn · 25/07/2008 09:51

Common perecption is that barristers are higher then solicitors.

Perecption is:

They get to do the courtroom telly type stuff, and sweep around in a gown and wig, which is always impressive, for about 2 minutes.

Solicitors sit in bland offices and shuffle paper.

Both are lawyers.

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MamaG · 25/07/2008 09:52

Oh go on then whoops, but you will be lower than me

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whoops · 25/07/2008 09:53

Cor thanks Mama
Always knew I was the lowest although there are always secretaries

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MamaG · 25/07/2008 09:54


don't let them hear you say that

Receptionists are far lower
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whoops · 25/07/2008 09:55

I know I did put on the hard hat when I said that
Yes receptionist are far lower although where I work they are the secretaries too half the time!

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Hulababy · 25/07/2008 10:02

I think it is those that practise law I guess. Work in the law wrong phrase.

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smallwhitecat · 25/07/2008 10:05

This reply has been deleted

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