Attorney vs. Solicitor — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 27, 2023
An attorney represents clients in legal matters, while a solicitor, in jurisdictions like the UK, handles specific legal tasks and might not represent clients in court.
Difference Between Attorney and Solicitor
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An attorney and a solicitor are both legal professionals. However, their roles, rights, and responsibilities might differ based on jurisdiction. In the United States, the term "attorney" (often expanded to "attorney at law") refers to a person qualified to practice law and represent clients in court. On the other hand, in regions like the UK, while a solicitor is a legal professional, they typically deal with legal paperwork, provide advice, and might not represent clients in higher courts.
The term "attorney" has a more general connotation in many regions, representing any individual authorized to act on another's behalf in a legal context. A solicitor, particularly in British contexts, is more specific and denotes a lawyer who deals with most legal matters excluding contentious litigation.
It's noteworthy to mention the presence of another term in the UK legal system: "barrister." While an attorney is a broad term commonly equated with lawyers in the US, in the UK, the legal profession is split primarily between solicitors and barristers. Solicitors generally provide legal advice and might represent clients in lower courts, whereas barristers are specialists in advocacy and represent clients in higher courts.
The educational and licensing requirements for an attorney and a solicitor also vary. In the US, aspiring attorneys must complete law school and pass the bar examination. In the UK, solicitors take the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and complete a training contract.
In common parlance, especially in the US, the distinction between an attorney and a solicitor is not always clear, with "attorney" being the predominant term. However, in places where the distinction is recognized, like the UK, understanding the nuanced differences between a solicitor, a barrister, and other legal roles becomes essential.
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Comparison Chart
Jurisdiction
Commonly used in the US.
Predominantly used in the UK, Ireland, and some Commonwealth countries.
Representation in Court
Can represent clients in all courts.
In the UK, typically represents clients in lower courts but not in higher courts.
Typical Duties
Offers legal advice, prepares legal documents, represents clients in court.
Provides legal advice, handles paperwork, may represent clients in certain courts.
Education/Licensing
Completes law school and passes the bar examination in the US.
Completes the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and a training contract in the UK.
General Usage
Broad term for a lawyer or one authorized to act on another's behalf in legal contexts in the US.
Specific type of lawyer in regions like the UK, distinct from barristers.
Compare with Definitions
Attorney
A person qualified to practice law.
The defendant hired an attorney to represent him.
Solicitor
An attorney who might represent clients in lower courts.
The solicitor represented the client during the preliminary hearing.
Attorney
A representative appointed for legal decisions.
She was named her father's attorney in the event of his incapacitation.
Solicitor
A lawyer who advises clients and prepares legal documents.
We hired a solicitor to help with the property purchase.
Attorney
A term used in the US to describe lawyers.
She's one of the top attorneys in the state.
Solicitor
A legal professional in the UK, distinct from a barrister.
The solicitor handled our case until it was passed to a barrister for trial.
Attorney
A counselor who can advise on legal matters.
We sought an attorney's advice before signing the contract.
Solicitor
A term describing non-litigious legal work.
The firm specializes in solicitor services like wills and contracts.
Attorney
A legal advocate or defender.
The attorney presented a strong case for her client.
Solicitor
A solicitor is a legal practitioner who traditionally deals with most of the legal matters in some jurisdictions. A person must have legally-defined qualifications, which vary from one jurisdiction to another, to be described as a solicitor and enabled to practise there as such.
Attorney
A person who is legally qualified and licensed to represent a person in a legal matter, such as a transaction or lawsuit.
Solicitor
A member of the legal profession qualified to deal with conveyancing, the drawing up of wills, and other legal matters. A solicitor may also instruct barristers and represent clients in some courts.
Attorney
(US) A lawyer; one who advises or represents others in legal matters as a profession.
Solicitor
A person who tries to obtain business orders, advertising, etc.; a canvasser
She had been a telephone solicitor for a Chicago newspaper
Attorney
One such who practised in the courts of the common law.
Solicitor
One that solicits, especially one that seeks trade or contributions.
Attorney
A solicitor.
Solicitor
An attorney holding a public office that handles cases involving a city, state, or other jurisdiction.
Attorney
An agent or representative authorized to act on someone else's behalf.
Solicitor
Chiefly British An attorney who advises clients on legal matters, represents clients in certain lower courts, and prepares cases for barristers to present in the higher courts.
Attorney
An honorific given to lawyers and notaries public, or those holders by profession who also do other jobs. Usually capitalized or abbreviated as Atty.
Solicitor
(Canadian) A barrister and solicitor; a lawyer.
Attorney
Clusia spp.
Solicitor
One who solicits.
Attorney
A prosecutor
Solicitor
In many common law jurisdictions, a type of lawyer whose traditional role is to offer legal services to clients apart from acting as their advocate in court. A solicitor instructs barristers to act as an advocate for their client in court, although rights of audience for solicitors vary according to jurisdiction.
Attorney
To work as a legal attorney.
Solicitor
In English Canada and in parts of Australia, a type of lawyer who historically held the same role as above, but whose role has in modern times been merged with that of a barrister.
Attorney
To provide with a legal attorney.
Solicitor
In parts of the U.S., the chief legal officer of a city, town or other jurisdiction.
Attorney
A substitute; a proxy; an agent.
And will have no attorney but myself.
Solicitor
(North America) A person soliciting sales, especially door to door.
Attorney
One who is legally appointed by another to transact any business for him; an attorney in fact.
Solicitor
One who solicits.
Attorney
To perform by proxy; to employ as a proxy.
Solicitor
An attorney or advocate; one who represents another in court; - formerly, in English practice, the professional designation of a person admitted to practice in a court of chancery or equity. See the Note under Attorney.
Attorney
A professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
Solicitor
A petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
Solicitor
A British lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents
Solicitor
A person responsible for soliciting, especially in business contexts.
He worked as a solicitor for a marketing firm.
Common Curiosities
Can someone be both a solicitor and a barrister?
While traditionally distinct, there are dual-qualified professionals in the UK who train and practice as both.
Can a solicitor represent clients in court?
In the UK, solicitors can represent clients in lower courts but not usually in higher courts, where barristers typically represent clients.
Are the educational requirements the same for attorneys and solicitors?
No, in the US, attorneys complete law school and pass the bar exam, while in the UK, solicitors complete the LPC and a training contract.
Is the term "attorney" used in the UK?
While "attorney" can be understood in the UK, the more common terms relating to the legal profession are "solicitor" and "barrister."
Why might someone hire a solicitor in the UK?
Solicitors can handle various legal tasks, including drafting documents, giving legal advice, and representing clients in certain courts.
Are "Attorney" and "Solicitor" synonymous?
While both relate to the legal profession, their exact roles can differ based on jurisdiction. In the US, an attorney is a broad term for a lawyer, while in the UK, a solicitor has specific duties distinct from a barrister.
Is "solicitor" a term exclusive to the legal field?
No, "solicitor" can also refer to someone who solicits, especially in business contexts.
Do attorneys and solicitors give legal advice?
Yes, both attorneys and solicitors can provide legal advice to clients.
Are there solicitors in the US?
The term is understood but not commonly used in the US legal system, where "attorney" or "lawyer" is more prevalent.
Are attorneys prevalent worldwide?
The term "attorney" is primarily used in the US, but the role of a legal professional exists globally, with different titles like solicitor, barrister, advocate, etc.
What's the main distinction between an attorney and a solicitor in the US?
In the US, "attorney" is the more prevalent term and encompasses the roles commonly associated with both attorneys and solicitors in other jurisdictions.
Is an "attorney-at-law" different from an "attorney"?
"Attorney-at-law" specifically refers to a lawyer, while "attorney" can be broader, denoting someone legally appointed to act for another.
Can both attorneys and solicitors draft legal documents?
Yes, both can prepare legal documents relevant to their areas of expertise.
Which is more prevalent: "attorney" or "solicitor"?
It depends on the region. In the US, "attorney" is more common, while in the UK and some Commonwealth countries, "solicitor" is a standard term.
Can solicitors become barristers in the UK?
Yes, with additional training and qualifications, a solicitor can become a barrister.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
