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

In mitigation, defence barrister Philip Wright told the court his actions may seem "unfathomable" given the "laudable and noble" features of his political life.

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Both the lead prosecution and defence barristers opted for polo shirts, shorts and baseball caps.

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Before the not guilty pleas were entered a defence barrister told the court that this was a complicated case and that they had commissioned an expert report.

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The barrister added that "no blame at all" was being attributed to Mr Marshall.

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In closing submissions, the nurses' barrister said they had suffered indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation due to County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust's Transitioning In The Workplace policy.

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