| 释义 |
barrister
n. A legal practitioner admitted to plead at the Bar. A barrister must be a member of one of the four Inns of Court, by whom he or she is called to the Bar when admitted to the profession. Prior to 2020, it was necessary to have either a qualifying law degree or a graduate diploma in law, and to complete the Bar Vocational Course, colloquially known as “bar school”. From 2020 candidates may also qualify by taking an undergraduate course in law that incorporates the vocational aspect. Thereafter barristers take a pupillage, which is usually with a set of chambers, before seeking a permanent place as a “tenant”. The primary function of barristers is to act as advocates for parties in courts or tribunals, but they also undertake the writing of opinions and some of the work preparatory to a trial. Their general immunity from lawsuits in negligence for criminal and civil litigation has been abolished. With certain exceptions a barrister may only act upon the instructions of a solicitor, who is also responsible for the payment of the barrister’s fee. Barristers have the right of audience in all courts: they are either Queen’s Counsel (often referred to as leaders or leading counsel) or junior barristers. See also advocacy qualification. |