Vines Legal's A-Z of All Things Family and Matrimonial; B for Barrister

Welcome to our Alphabet Information Series.  Today’s topic is Barrister. 

What is a Barrister?  Well most people might say a “fancy solicitor that wears a wig” or the “person in Court they see on television”. Actually there is a bit more to it than that. 

A Barrister is a lawyer who has recognised skills in advocacy (speaking on your behalf), who may represent you and act on your behalf in Court if there is a dispute about money or children. The Barrister can also provide you with additional specialist advice in relation to the legal aspects of your case.

The Barrister will speak in Court and present your case to the Judge. In contrast, a Solicitor not only speaks in Court but generally meets with clients, does administrative work and provides legal advice. Not everyone will require a Barrister.

In most cases, to instruct a Barrister you need to go through a solicitor, who will be responsible for the litigation part of a case (taking the initial instructions, issuing proceedings, gathering the evidence, the preparation of a case for trial, and of course the instruction of counsel (Barrister).

A Barrister's physical appearance in Court depends on whether the hearing is "robed" or not. In England and Wales, criminal cases in the Crown Court almost always have the Barristers wearing robes and wigs but nowadays there is more movement in civil cases to not wear them. The vast majority of County Court hearings are now conducted without robes, although the traditional outfit continues to be worn in High Court proceedings.  Whether or not a Barrister wears the robe is not in any way indicative of their level of skill or expertise.

If you have any queries regarding the above information or would like any advice relating to family or matrimonial matters remember that obtaining accurate legal information from the outset can be vital in the resolution of your matter, and can make the process less stressful. If you would like to arrange a free, no obligation consultation with one of our experienced solicitors then call our office today on 01246 555 610.