<P> As in New Zealand, there is no formal distinction between barristers and solicitors . A lawyer in Nigeria is admitted as a "Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria ." Once admitted, Nigerian lawyers may argue in any federal trial or appellate court as well as any of the courts in Nigeria's thirty six states and the Federal Capital Territory . Lawyers are regulated by the Nigerian Bar Association . </P> <P> In Sri Lanka, a lawyer must be admitted and enrolled as an attorney - at - law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka . This is referred to as the call to the bar . </P> <P> Generally, a lawyer is said to have been "admitted to the Bar" and become an "attorney at law"; some states still use the older term "attorney and counselor (or even spelled' counsellor') at law", upon taking his or her oath of office . Historically, the institution of attorney was similar to that of the solicitor, whereas the office of the counselor was almost identical to that of the barrister, but today this distinction has disappeared . The phrase "called to the bar" is still sometimes used informally by U.S. attorneys to refer to their qualification as a lawyer . </P>

When do you get called to the bar