Jun
28
Im in Australia and often wonder what the meaning of "Esquire" is after the name of a Judge, lawyer etc?
We have "Barristers" and "QC’s" over here, is that a similar title?
And can you have this without being involved in the legal field?
Thanks!
Lou
Are you thinking about selling your home yourself? then
The "Esquire" or "Esq." is an honorific title. People in Great Britain and the Commonwealth who are Q.C.’s just use the Q.C. after their names much in the same way that a medical doctor uses M. D. after their names.
It is traditional to refer to a gentleman with "Esquire" after his name. I understand that such title has also been used with Justices of the Peace.
Things are now different in Pennsylvania, and we refer to our Justices of the Peace as being "District Judges".
It just means they are a lawyer. Literally, that is all it means.
The term is a title for lawyers, like M.D. is for a physician.
Legally, nothing at all.
By tradition it is used to signify a lawyer, but it has no legal standing, like using "JD" does.
Richard
The term refers to a high-ranking servant. The squire of the night was not noble himself, just a servant, but an important servant. The term was later used for any one who provided educated services to the peers and then later just to those who provided legal services. On the other hand, I am just making this up.