request counsel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "request counsel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts when seeking advice or assistance from a lawyer or advisor. Example: "In complex legal matters, it is advisable to request counsel to ensure that your rights are protected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

No one informed her of her right to request counsel or a public defender.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For instance some studies are studies based on data from Teratogen Information Service centers, which offer advice to women, who request counselling about the teratogenic potential of SSRIs.

Clinical Epidemiology

Mr. Montejo's conviction was upheld by the Louisiana Supreme Court, which reasoned in part that the protections of the 1986 Michigan case should not apply to him because, in Louisiana as in many other states, lawyers are assigned automatically to indigent defendants, removing any question of whether Mr. Montejo specifically "requested" counsel at his arraignment.

The New York Times

For obese dogs, owners seldom requested counselling (13%) or weight control measures (12%).

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Participating women preferred to conduct the perinatal consultations in their home areas and only a few women requested counselling mainly for medication issues from specialised SCI settings.

BMC Health Services Research

Expressing gratitude, requesting counselling, financial support and advice regarding medication side effects—reasons for using two-way communication in the CAMPS trial were also mirrored in our study.

BMJ Open

"She didn't get them," Newhouse said of Abyan's request for counselling and translation services.

The Guardian

Roof then stood and requested new counsel to handle an appeal.

The New Yorker

The court found that when a "petitioner requests independent counsel in order to investigate and pursue claims under Martinez," it is "ethically required" — the court put those words in italics — that he have "qualified and independent counsel".

The New Yorker

The court found that when a "petitioner requests independent counsel in order to investigate and pursue claims under Martinez," it is "ethically required"—the court put those words in italics that he have "qualified and independent counsel".

The New Yorker

Foreign governments requested his counsel on agricultural matters: Joseph Stalin, for example, in 1931 invited him to superintend cotton plantations in southern Russia and to make a tour of the Soviet Union, but Carver refused.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "request counsel" in formal legal or official contexts where you want to emphasize a formal application for legal representation.

Common error

Avoid using "request counsel" in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "ask for legal advice" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "request counsel" functions primarily as a verb phrase combined with a noun. It signifies the action of formally seeking legal advice or representation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English, particularly in legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "request counsel" is a grammatically sound phrase used to formally ask for legal advice or representation, as supported by Ludwig AI. It's most appropriate in legal and official contexts, though less common in everyday language. While alternatives like "seek legal advice" or "consult an attorney" exist, "request counsel" emphasizes a formal request. The phrase appears across diverse sources, with the most common being news and media, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask for legal advice

A more direct and informal way of saying "request counsel".

seek legal advice

Focuses on the act of seeking guidance, emphasizing the advisory aspect rather than the formal request for representation.

consult an attorney

Implies a direct engagement with a legal professional for advice.

obtain legal advice

Focuses on the outcome of receiving legal advice, rather than the act of requesting it.

retain legal representation

Suggests a formal hiring of a lawyer to act on one's behalf.

secure legal representation

Emphasizes the action of ensuring one has a lawyer to represent them.

enquire about legal assistance

Indicates a preliminary inquiry into obtaining legal help.

get legal assistance

Highlights receiving help of a legal nature.

solicit legal guidance

Highlights the act of actively seeking advice from a legal expert.

apply for legal aid

Refers specifically to requesting assistance from a public legal service.

FAQs

How to use "request counsel" in a sentence?

You can use "request counsel" in sentences like: "The defendant decided to request counsel before proceeding with the interrogation" or "It is your right to request counsel if you cannot afford an attorney".

What can I say instead of "request counsel"?

You can use alternatives like "seek legal advice", "consult an attorney", or "obtain legal advice" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "request counsel"?

The phrase "request counsel" is best suited for formal or legal settings. For instance, in courtrooms, legal documents, or official correspondence where a person is formally asking for legal representation.

What's the difference between "request counsel" and "ask for a lawyer"?

"Request counsel" is a more formal and legally precise way of saying "ask for a lawyer". The former is typically used in legal contexts, while the latter is more common in everyday language.