Silly Question

BenEadir

All,

Something trivial which has often crossed my mind. What, if anything, is the difference between the terms solicitor, lawyer and attorney? Are they interchangeable terms which simply depend on local culture/choice?

Silly I know but I'd really like to know the answer!!

Regards,

Ben

Tom Young

It does to some extent.

Lawyer would tend to capture all adequately.

Solicitor - Law Agent who deals with preliminary issues, advices and bringing matters along to the courts. In Ireland, primary contact point for consumers. Regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. Appointed or admitted to the role of solicitors by the president of the High Court.

Barrister - Litigation Agent to the solicitor, who advocates before the courts and in other tribunals of fact and/or law. In Ireland, secondary to a solicitor, a sole trader who is 'briefed or instructed' by a solicitor and not a consumer. Save for a few minor exceptions. Regulated by the Bar Council of Ireland. Appointed by the Chief Justice of Ireland and a division of the Supreme Court.

Attorney - Generally a word in the US which covers both types of profession.

This is not the fullest of answers but an answer nonetheless.

Tom

Jo King

Lawyer and Attorney are often regarded as synonymous in the U.S.
There were seperate professions of Solicitor and Attorney in this jurisdiction until the Judiciature act of 1873. The profession had a choice of title and took the title of Solicitor rather than that of Attorney.
Lawyer encompasses more than Solicitors however. There are practising Solicitors and Baristers as well as employed solicitors and barristers. In addition there are "Academic Lawyers". These are full time lecturers in Law who do not cary on a practise. There are also law graduates who are not members of either profession who work as lawyers for various organisations eg. the Competition Authority.
The word "lawyer" should really only be used in limited contexts in Ireland. It is too imprecise for most situations.

BenEadir

Thanks all for clarifying that for me. Much appreciated.