What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
Traditionally the split was about where they work: solicitors advise clients and prepare cases; barristers argue them in court. That distinction has blurred considerably, but the underlying differences remain real.
Solicitors are the point of first contact for almost all legal matters. They advise directly, handle correspondence, draft documents and contracts, conduct conveyancing, deal with probate, negotiate settlements and manage litigation. Most work in firms, employ staff, and can take instructions directly from the public. Many now hold higher rights of audience allowing them to appear in senior courts, so the idea that a solicitor cannot advocate is out of date.
Barristers are specialist advocates and advisers. They typically self-employed, working from chambers — shared offices rather than partnerships — and are instructed by solicitors for a specific piece of work: representing a client at a hearing, or providing an expert opinion on a difficult point. Their strengths are courtroom advocacy and deep specialisation in a narrow field.
How you engage them:
The traditional route is via a solicitor, who identifies the right barrister and instructs them. This remains standard for litigation.
Direct access (or public access) now allows members of the public to instruct many barristers directly for suitable work, which can be cheaper as it removes one layer — but the barrister will not handle the case administration a solicitor would, and some matters are unsuitable.
Other differences: barristers wear wigs and gowns in some courts, solicitors generally do not. Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board, solicitors by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Senior barristers may become King's Counsel (KC), though solicitor-advocates can too.
Legal executives are a third qualified route, specialising in a particular area.
England and Wales; Scotland uses solicitors and advocates.