A 'solicitor' is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions who provides legal advice to clients, prepares legal documents, and represents clients in lower courts. Solicitors often work directly with clients to help them with legal matters such as contracts, property transactions, and family law issues. They may also represent clients in negotiations and discussions, but they typically do not appear in higher courts, where barristers (another type of lawyer) take on that role.
The term 'solicitor' comes from the Latin word 'sollicitare,' which means 'to disturb' or 'to urge.' The word evolved in Middle English to refer to someone who seeks business or is involved in legal matters.