The “Bar” is the name of the professional body of lawyers who practice in our courts.

It is a term used to distinguish lawyers who practice in the courts (known as barristers) from those who do not (known as solicitors).

While there is no prohibition against any lawyer in New Zealand appearing in our courts, certain lawyers specialise in court work. Those lawyers have formed a separate, informal group known as the Bar.

Often you will hear the term “admitted to the Bar”.