The legal system in the UK is commonly referred to as a split profession. That is because there are two types of legal practitioners that people can contact—solicitors and barristers. In this article we are going to explore the differences between these two professions.

Because they work more closely with clients and settle everyday affairs, there are far more solicitors than barristers in the UK. According to the latest numbers, there are over 60,000 licensed solicitors practicing in the UK. Of course, the majority of the cases that solicitors attend to are fairly pedestrian. For example, a solicitor might be asked to draft a legal letter, a will, or research a minor case.

The job of a solicitor is not a particularly glamorous one. They as rarely expected to appear in court and they almost never take part in a high profile case. If and when they are called to court, it is generally for a relatively minor civil issue. Still, they have no complaints. How about a barrister? A barrister is essentially a trial attorney. He spends most of his time either in court or researching cases. Unlike a solicitor who is employed by a firm, a barrister is self employed. He need only pay a portion of his salary to the court for the use of his chambers or offices.

As you might expect, to become a barrister requires additional schooling. It also requires a talent for public speaking and a firm grasp of case law. Solicitors, on the other hand, do most of the work in the office and deal with clients on a more personal level.