Barristers and Solicitors
The certified practitioners of law in the United Kingdom are called barristers and solicitors.
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Description
Traditionally, there has been a difference in the right to audience in a lower court as opposed to a higher court. The former was the domain of solicitors, while barristers held a monopoly on the latter. Legal professionals were called to the bar to be admitted as a barrister.
To this day, English barristers are required to be members of one of four Inns of Court:
- Gray's Inn
- Lincoln's Inn
- Inner Temple
- Middle Temple
These act in a similar capacity to bar associations. They provide certification that an individual is qualified to serve as legal representation.
Note that membership is not the only or final requirement to practice law; a sort of apprenticeship called pupillage is mandatory as well.
Barristers in particular are entitled to several distinguishing outfits, including wigs and robes.