bar ‧ ris ‧ ter /ˈbærəstə, ˈbærɪstə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Origin: ⇨ ↑ bar 1 (6) + -ster ]
a lawyer in Britain who can argue cases in the higher law courts ⇨ solicitor
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THESAURUS
▪ lawyer someone whose job is to advise people about laws, write formal agreements, or represent people in court:
His lawyer told him to plead guilty.
▪ attorney American English a lawyer. Attorney sounds more formal than lawyer :
‘The United States sees intellectual property rights as sacred,’ said Thomas Klitgaard, an attorney specializing in international law.
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Acting on the advice of his attorney, he remained silent throughout the questioning.
▪ solicitor a type of lawyer in Britain who gives legal advice, prepares the documents when property is bought or sold, and defends people, especially in the lower courts of law:
She works as a commercial property solicitor at Nabarro Nathanson in London.
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He went to the family solicitor to make a will.
▪ barrister a lawyer in Britain who can argue cases in the higher law courts:
McWalter's barrister, Hugh Vass, stressed his client’s previous good character.
▪ advocate formal a formal word for a lawyer in American English, or a barrister in Scotland:
The committee can put questions to the defendant or his advocate.
▪ brief British English informal the lawyer who represents someone in a court case:
His brief asked for a fine rather than a prison sentence.
▪ counsel [uncountable] the lawyer or group of lawyers who are representing someone in court:
counsel for the defence/prosecution