​KembaraXtra – Legal Terms – Leader


A leader in legal practice refers to a Queen’s Counsel (now often called King’s Counsel) or, more generally, the senior barrister representing a party in court when two or more counsel are instructed. The leader is responsible for presenting the main arguments and strategy in the case.


In complex or high-value litigation, it is common for a legal team to include both a leader and one or more junior barristers. The leader typically handles the most significant aspects of advocacy, such as opening submissions and cross-examining key witnesses, while juniors assist with preparation and supporting arguments.