Call to the bar

In England and Wales, many Commonwealth jurisdictions, and Hong Kong SAR, barristers (i.e., lawyers who are licensed to argue cases in superior courts, as opposed to those licensed for other forms of legal practice outside of the courtrooms, such as providing legal advice to lay clients) are those who have been "called to the bar" or to have received a "call to the bar". In Canada the same nomenclature is used though there is generally no distinction between barristers and solicitors (except in Quebec where the civil law notary is very similar to the solicitor). Other Commonwealth countries use similar terminology.

Related Topics:
England and Wales - Commonwealth - Hong Kong SAR - Barrister - Lawyer - Canada - Solicitor - Quebec - Civil law notary

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Being called to the bar has its origin in the royal summons that was issued to one seen fit to serve in the royal court at the monarch's pleasure.

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For solicitors, the equivalent is to be "admitted as a solicitor", "enrolled as a solicitor" or "admitted and enrolled as a solicitor".

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In common law Canadian provinces, despite the legal profession being a fused one (i.e., lawyers are qualified as both barristers and solicitors), the certificate issued by the provincial Law Society to the newly-qualified lawyer generally indicates he or she having been called to the Bar and admitted as a solicitor. In the Canadian province of Ontario, there are in fact two certificates issued by the provincial Law Society: one for call to the bar, and the other for admission as a solicitor.

Related Topics:
Law Society - Ontario

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In the United States, on the other hand, lawyers are said to have been "admitted to the bar" and become "attorney and counselor at law" upon taking their oath of office. Historically, the institution of attorney was similar to that of the solicitor whereas the office of the counselor was almost identical to that of the barrister.

Related Topics:
United States - Admitted to the bar

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