We also act as Privy Council Agents, representing overseas clients in appeals to the Privy Council - the highest Court of Appeal in those countries where the Queen is Head of State. As a solicitor, originally from New Zealand, John Cruickshank is particularly aware of the problems faced by newcomers, and those dealing with English Law and is uniquely experienced to anticipate and deal effectively with those problems. John is also one of the very few solicitors who have gained rights of audience in all courts in all proceedings in England and Wales, thereby effectively removing the cost of employing a barrister in most litigious matters. Solicitor - Hangover from the days of a separate bar in the United Kingdom. To put it bluntly, the solicitor does the paperwork, meets the client, and instructs the barrister, who does the court work.
Solicitor therefore covers a multitude of disciplines within the profession.
It usually means a lawyer who does not normally appear in court. Barrister - The fellow who appears in court on instructions from the solicitor on behalf of you, the client. Again, a barrister may in turn be a specialist in different areas of law. The principal, John Cruickshank, is one of approximately 70 solicitors in the United kingdom who has full audience rights in all criminal and civil proceedings. The work is virtually synonymous with that of a barrister.