fused profession

In most common law countries, especially those with fused professions, lawyers have many options over the course of their careers.

For jurisdictions with a fused profession, see bar association.

The trend to a fused profession is similar to that outlined above in England and Wales.

In countries with fused professions, a lawyer is usually permitted to carry out all or nearly all the responsibilities listed below.

In South Australia we have a fused profession, although a number of practitioners choose to practise at the separate Bar.

In Malaysia, there is no distinction between a barrister and a solicitor, in that, it is a fused profession.

The legal profession in the British Virgin Islands is a fused profession.

Fused profession is a term relating to jurisdictions where the legal profession is not divided between barristers and solicitors.

It also upheld the idea of a split profession (one with both solicitors and barristers, in contrast to a fused profession), saying that:

In those States and Territories with fused professions, solicitors robe in situations where barristers would normally wear robes.

However, since 2015 the British Virgin Islands has had a fused profession, and all lawyers within the jurisdiction are now formally referred to as "legal practitioners".

('avocats') have traditionally been a fused profession, arguing and preparing cases in contentious matters, whereas Quebec's other type of lawyer, civil law notary ('notaires'), handle out-of-court non-contentious matters.

In common law jurisdictions with no distinction between barristers and solicitors (i.e. where there is a "fused profession") the professional body may be called variously a Law Society, Bar Council, or bar association.

Lawyers in Singapore are part of a fused profession, meaning that they may act as both a solicitor and as an advocate, although lawyers usually specialize in one of litigation, conveyancing or corporate law.

Historically, the distinction was absolute, but in the modern legal age, some countries that had a split legal profession now have a fused profession - anyone entitled to practise as a barrister may also practise as a solicitor, and vice versa.

A detailed examination of the justifications for a split legal profession and of the arguments in favour of a fused profession can be found in English solicitor Peter Reeve's 1986 book, Are Two Legal Professions Necessary?

The report did not go as far as some reformers desired; it ruled out the possibility of partnerships between barristers, upheld the idea that a split profession (one with both solicitors and barristers, in contrast to a fused profession) and also rejected the suggestion to allow solicitors rights of audience in the High Court.