barrister

American  

[bar-uh-ster] / ˈbær ə stər /

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.

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barrister British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• barristerial adjective

Etymology

Origin of barrister

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

Example Sentences

At the Insolvency and Companies Court, barristers for the three joint administrators asked for the firm to be kept in administration to pay off money owed.

From BBC

During submissions a prosecution barrister outlined Bracas' interview with police, where he told them he felt his sister treated him like garbage and made him do chores and babysit his niece.

From BBC

The national legal aid system pays for barristers and solicitors to act for a defendant who cannot afford to pay for their own lawyer.

From BBC

The family of Natalie McNally have said they have been left in "limbo" after they were warned the trial into her murder may be delayed because of industrial action by barristers.

From BBC

During the trial, prosecution barrister Anne Whyte KC said Harris, who ended his legal career in 2016, had "absolutely no respect" for the victims and had gone through the trial in a move of "self-preservation".

From BBC