A solicitor is a lawyer who deals directly with the public and is the person to whom an individual turns when he or she has a legal problem. The solicitor may be required to help plan and organise the client's affairs, enforce a legal right or defend an action, or negotiate complex commercial dealings. Solicitors are able to represent clients in any court in New South Wales, though there are a few special tribunals where they are not permitted to do so. In many cases a solicitor may decided to brief a barrister to appear in court instead, but will still be responsible to the client and prepare evidence.
Some solicitors work by themselves and are known as sole practitioners.
Most solicitors work in firms where there are two or more solicitors and some larger firms employ more than 100 lawyers. Where a legal problem is very complex, a solicitor may seek the advice of a barrister who has specialised knowledge. Barristers, unlike solicitors, do not deal with the many transactions and legal problems of clients which do not need a court decision. All barristers are self-employed. Barristers must have excellent research skills as well as oral and written communication skills.