barrister

[bar-uh-ster]

noun

Law.

1. (in England) a lawyer who is a member of one of the Inns of Court and who has the privilege of pleading in the higher courts.

2. Informal.,  any lawyer.

barrister

/ ˈbærɪstə /

noun

1. Also called: barrister-at-law. (in England) a lawyer who has been called to the bar and is qualified to plead in the higher courts Compare solicitor See also advocate counsel

2. (in Canada) a lawyer who pleads in court

3. a less common word for lawyer

Other Word Forms

• barristerial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrister¹

1535–45; derivative of bar ¹, perhaps after obsolete legister lawyer or minister

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrister¹

C16: from _bar ¹

Example Sentences

Morgan listened to the sentencing at Preston Crown Court quietly after telling his barrister to say "nothing at all" on his behalf.

From BBC

At the start of a day-long appeal hearing on Thursday, barristers said the "extremely high-profile nature of the issue" could be damaging for the asylum accommodation programme.

From BBC

Mr Doyle, of West Derby in Liverpool, was not asked to enter pleas to any charges after his barrister Simon Csoka KC asked for more time to consider the new counts.

From BBC

Defence barrister Paul Lewis KC said he was not asking for pre-sentence reports as they would not assist the court.

From BBC

Andrew Taylor, a Cardiff-based barrister, described the ruling as "unfair", comparing the case to the fight for justice by former postmasters caught up in the much-publicised Horizon scandal.

From BBC