solicitors

Solicitors are lawyers who provide legal advice and handle a range of legal work for individuals, businesses, and organizations. Typical duties include meeting clients, drafting and negotiating contracts, handling conveyancing and property transactions, preparing wills, conducting due diligence, and coordinating with others for court proceedings. In many common-law systems, the exact scope of a solicitor’s rights to represent clients in court varies; some solicitors may obtain rights of audience to appear in higher courts as solicitor-advocates.

In England and Wales, the profession is traditionally split between solicitors and barristers. Solicitors generally deal with clients directly, manage non-contentious work, and instruct barristers for advocacy as needed. They may work in private firms, corporate in-house teams, or public services. Entry routes include the older path—a law degree or equivalent, the Legal Practice Course, and a training contract—and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, after which admission is by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

In Scotland, solicitors are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland. Qualification involves university study in Scots law and practical training, after which they may practice in Scottish courts. Some Scottish solicitors pursue solicitor-advocate status to obtain rights of audience in higher courts.

Outside the United Kingdom, the term is used in various jurisdictions with different meanings. Generally, solicitors provide legal advice, draft documents, and handle transactions; in some places, advocacy is reserved for other qualified lawyers. Common career settings include private practice, in-house counsel, government service, and non-governmental organizations.