What is the difference between lawyers in US and UK?
Asked by: Jared Kozey | Last update: September 21, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (61 votes)
The most obvious difference between the UK and US is that the former is divided into solicitors and barristers, whilst the latter is a unified profession. This means when you employ a lawyer in the US, they will undertake duties typically associated with either a solicitor or a barrister in the UK.
Is a UK law degree valid in the USA?
United States:
To practice law in the U.S., you'll typically need to pass the state bar exam. However, with a UK law degree, you're well-equipped to tackle this challenge. The U.S. offers a diverse range of legal careers, from corporate law and intellectual property to entertainment law.
What is a lawyer called in UK?
barrister, one of the two types of practicing lawyers in England and Wales, the other being the solicitor. In general, barristers engage in advocacy (trial work) and solicitors in office work, but there is a considerable overlap in their functions.
Can a lawyer in the UK work in the US?
Yes. UK lawyers can register as an FLC if they meet the New York eligibility requirements. UK lawyers can sit the New York State bar exam if they hold a law degree equivalent in duration to a US law degree or have at least two years of legal education and obtain a master's in law from an ABA-approved university.
What is the difference between the US and the UK court system?
One of the major differences between the court systems in the UK and the US is the fact that the US does not have a Tribunal System like the UK has in place for certain types of disputes. Instead, the US has specific courts for bankruptcy etc.
UK LAWYERS VS USA LAWYERS - What's the difference? Definitions / training / salaries compared!
How is British law different from American law?
It's not just that the USA has a Constitution and the UK doesn't. It's also that the US's legislative functions operate at different levels. In the UK, there's essentially one body of laws with some variations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the US, there are federal laws, state laws and even local laws.
What is the US equivalent of a barrister?
Barristers are involved in and litigation , similar to “trial lawyers” or “ litigators ” in the United States, except such lawyers in America may perform tasks beyond courtroom advocacy, unlike barristers.
Do lawyers earn more in the UK or US?
At a glance. Trainees in London earn more than those working outside the capital. You'll earn less in smaller firms but will likely rise up the ladder quicker. USA based firms pay the highest trainee and newly-qualified salaries, followed by Magic Circle then City firms.
Do UK lawyers have to pass the bar?
The bar exam or law bar exam is a professional qualification examination for lawyers in the UK. After passing a bar exam, you can be granted permission to practice as an advocate and carry out other licensed activities done by legal professionals, e.g. property conveyancing.
Does US law apply in UK?
Due to the absence of a reciprocal enforcement agreement, a US judgment can only be enforced in England at common law by bringing a new action under which the judgment is seen as a simple contractual debt. New proceedings are therefore issued in the English court for payment of the 'debt'.
What are the two types of lawyers in England?
Barristers and solicitors
All solicitors and their firms are approved and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The Law Society is the professional body representing solicitors. Barristers are a wholly separate profession to solicitors - they follow different rules and provide different services.
What is British slang for attorney?
BARRISTER - 33 Synonyms and Antonyms - Cambridge English.
What is the hardest bar exam in the US?
Which bar exam is hardest? California is considered by many to be the most difficult bar exam. It has a relatively low pass rate and a relatively high minimum passing score and covers a lot of state law.
How long is law school in the USA?
As a law student, you can expect to spend at least three years in law school. Full-time students typically complete their studies within three years, while part-time students take up to five years. Graduating from law school is an impressive achievement for many aspiring lawyers.
What is the average salary for a lawyer in the US?
How much does a Lawyer make in USA? The average lawyer salary in the USA is $110,224 per year or $52.99 per hour. Entry level positions start at $88,290 per year while most experienced workers make up to $170,294 per year.
Can US lawyers practice in the UK?
From September 2021, lawyers from abroad and overseas students who wish to qualify in England and Wales can sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE allows you to qualify as a solicitor by taking the same exam as domestic candidates.
How many years does it take to become a lawyer in the UK?
How long it takes. It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor if you study law full time. It will be longer if you study a different subject for your degree and decide later you want to follow a legal career.
How hard is the UK bar exam?
BUT it was quite a bit harder than I had imagined. It's not intellectually stretching in the sense the BCL was, nor are the pass marks particularly high (so you can afford to drop quite a few marks and make quite a few mistakes). It's just a slog. There is lots to get through and not necessarily loads of shortcuts.
Which country is best for lawyers?
The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.
What type of lawyer is most in demand UK?
According to recent insights from the LexisNexis GLP Index, property, immigration, restructuring, and insolvency law are projected to experience the strongest demand growth in 2025. This mirrors the increasing demand across several core practice areas, each driven by unique economic and social factors.
Who gets paid more US or UK?
The US is a richer society, thus wages are higher. The US economy is lower tax, less regulated, than the British.
What do Brits call a lawyer?
The term lawyer is a generic term used to describe anyone who is a Licensed Legal Practitioner qualified to give legal advice in one or more areas of law. A solicitor and a barrister could both be considered a 'lawyer' in the UK.
Can I use my UK law degree in America?
Yes. However, most jurisdictions require holders of foreign law degrees to have an additional legal degree, such as a J.D. or LL. M., from an ABA-accredited law school in the United States.
Do barristers still wear wigs?
Wigs are still commonplace in the courtroom, almost thought of as a uniform, to maintain the long tradition and formality of the legal system. However, the wigs have undergone some changes.