Jurist

This article is about the use of the term "jurist". For the University of Pittsburgh School of Law's legal news and research website, see JURIST.

A jurist is a professional who studies, develops, applies or otherwise deals with the law. The term is widely used in American English, but in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries it has only historical and specialist usage. In most of Continental Europe any person who possesses a degree in law is called a jurist.

United States

Although the word "jurist" can technically be applied to anyone having a thorough knowledge of law, American lawyers usually use the word only to refer to a judge.

Other English speaking countries

There is no alternative word for "jurist" in English-speaking countries outside the U.S. Members of the general public are largely unaware of the term and are likely to confuse it with "juror". The term "legal professional" may be used for convenience, but this is not common practice. Within the legal community usage of "jurist" is usually restricted to eminent judges or academics. Apart from this people working in law are usually described as "lawyers" is they are practicing law, or as belonging to a more specific branch of the legal profession, such as barrister, judge or law professor.

Continental Europe

In Continental Europe anyone with a degree in law (e.g. a bachelor or master of laws) is called a jurist (or a lawyer). Such jurists can "practice" law as employees hired by law firms or legal departments of other business entities. Being a jurist does not necessarily mean that one has the privileges usually attributed to "attorney" or "solicitor" in the United States or Canada. In Europe there are two classes of lawyers, the jurists and what is in many places known as advocates.

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United States

Other English speaking countries

Continental Europe

See also