Whats the difference between barristers and solicitors?
Barristers tend to appear in Court (particularly the higher Courts) and to be experts in particular areas of law. Solicitors tend to do more office work, although they have the right to appear in all Courts. Most judges in the higher Courts are still barristers, although solicitors have also been appointed as judges in the superior Courts. Barristers usually wear wigs and gowns in Court, except in family law and juvenile matters, but there is no longer a mandatory requirement to wear a wig. Barristers mostly operate from the Law Library and are sole practitioners. (The chambers system which exists in England is not used in Ireland). In contentious matters, a barrister may generally only be briefed by a solicitor and may not deal directly with a member of the public.
