🌍 American vs British · vocabulary

attorney vs solicitor

A qualified legal professional who advises clients and represents them in legal matters.

American
attorney

“She hired an attorney to review the contract before signing it.”

British
solicitor

“She hired a solicitor to review the contract before signing it.”

Good to know

Americans use "attorney" or "lawyer" broadly, whereas the British legal system splits the role into "solicitor" (handles paperwork and client advice) and "barrister" (argues cases in higher courts). "Attorney" is rarely used as a general term in the UK.

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