Why lads call themselves barrister when solicitor ...

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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:08 pm

... would be more appropriate.
Perhaps the following is true for many countries, it is similarly true for the U.S.A.

Quote:

Nigeria

In Nigeria, there is no formal distinction between barristers and solicitors. All students who pass the bar examinations—offered exclusively by the Nigerian Law School—are called to the Nigerian bar, by the Body of Benchers. Lawyers may argue in any Federal trial or appellate court as well as any of the courts in Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Legal Practitioner's Act, refers to Nigerian lawyers as Legal Practitioners, and following their call to the Bar, Nigerian lawyers enter their names in the register or Roll of Legal Practitioners kept at the Supreme Court. Perhaps for this reason, a Nigerian lawyer is also often referred to as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and many Nigerian lawyers term themselves Barrister-at-Law complete with the postnominal initials "B.L.".

The vast majority of Nigerian lawyers combine contentious and non-contentious work, although there is a growing tendency for practitioners in the bigger practices to specialise in one or the other. In colloquial parlance within the Nigerian legal profession, lawyers may for this reason be referred to as "litigators" or as "solicitors".

Consistent with the practice in England and elsewhere in the Commonwealth, senior members of the profession may be selected for elevation to the Inner Bar by conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:34 pm

I hate it when they use "barrister", that word is very offensive to me, I always make them change it to the more appropriate "felon" or "queer"

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:36 pm

It doesn't really matter what they call themselves - as long as it sounds official, professional, competent and worthy of respect. In much of the english-speaking world, Barrister does this job nicely.

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:40 pm

Jim Morrison wrote:

I hate it when they use "barrister", that word is very offensive to me, I always make them change it to the more appropriate "felon" or "queer"

I prefer 'cock-jockey' Smile

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:52 pm

Shyster is also considered an acceptable alternative, in most social circles.

Bruin

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:29 pm

^^^

I was thinking that too!

"Parasites" is also another American term for those in the shark pool.

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 7:20 pm

I even got one of them to change it in a document:

http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=204334

Elite Baiter Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 1440

Quote:

Shyster is also considered an acceptable alternative

That's what I always call them. I love that word!

I also like how the mugus call themselves "Engr." as though being an engineer grants one a title.

I guess they think it makes them sound more authoritative.

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:39 pm

Well, the lads can call themselves whatever they want; and we will continue to be whatever persona we want!

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 12:22 am

in Germany, "Engineer" is a protected title, rather as "Doctor" or "Lawyer" is here. Should be the same worldwide, I've met quite a few who can fit a pair of overalls at best.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Posts: 586

@Jim that is awesome!

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 3:09 am

I get lads who claim to be in the UK using the title Barrister who then introduce themselves as "a solicitor in the firm of . . . ."

I occasionally address a self-important lad with "Mr." to see if he demands that I address him as Professor, Doctor, Engineer, Reverend, Senator, Inspector, etc., etc.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:40 am

I've even got one who spells it incorrectly

"Barristar Stephen Gates ESQ" ..

it's a bit like "fraud-star" Smile

I especially like the 'esquire' bit.

Quote:

In the UK, it is a title of respect previously accorded to gentlemen of higher social rank but which has since come to be used, with no precise significance, as a general courtesy title for any man in a formal context.

Quote:

In the United States, the suffix Esq. most commonly designates individuals licensed to practice law, and may be used by both men and women

The thing is .. he's claiming to be practicing law in the UK.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 17 Jun 2011 Posts: 11

wowwow wrote:

I've even got one who spells it incorrectly

"Barristar Stephen Gates ESQ" ..

it's a bit like "fraud-star" Smile

Perhaps you could ask the 'Barista' what type of coffee he prefers...

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:33 am

I tell them that a lawyer who passed his or her bar exam, is called a Bar Tender.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 689

^^^ I thought they were all stewards .... Laughing

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:15 pm

TheDane wrote:

I tell them that a lawyer who passed his or her bar exam, is called a Bar Tender.

Nice one, tD!

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