11. Legal Personnel

Question 1

What are the 3 routes to become a solicitor

Answer 1

1. traditional route

2.

Question 2

What are the steps for the traditional route?

Answer 2

1. A levels/equivalent
2. Law degree
3. Legal practise course
4. Two year training period

Question 3

What is the second route to become a solicitor?

Answer 3

1. A levels/equivalent
2. Degree in another subject
3. One year law course
4. Legal practise course
5. Two year training period

Question 4

What is the third route to become a solicitor?

Answer 4

1. Four GCSEs
2. Institute of Legal Executives professional diploma
3. Institute of Legal Executives professionals higher professional diploma (ILEX).
4. Legal practise course
5. Become fellow of ILEX (after 5yrs) or 2 yr training period.

Question 5

What is the work of a solicitor?

Answer 5

Specialising - they may be general practitioners or specialise in one particular field.
Conveying - legal side of transferring houses, buildings, and land.
Advocacy - representing in court
Legal disciplinary partnerships - solicitors can partner up with other professionals to provide a smoother service.

Question 6

What can solicitors be sued for?

Answer 6

Negligence

Question 7

What does the Solicitors Regulatory Authority do?

Answer 7

• Investigate complaints

- Refer complaints to a tribunal

Question 8

How do barristers work and what are they collectively referred to?

Answer 8

Work independently + The Bar

Question 9

Who are barristers controlled by?

Answer 9

Controlled by their own professional body - the General Council of the Bar.

Question 10

What must barristers be members of?

Answer 10

One of the 4 ‘Inns of Court’ in London:

1. Grey’s Inn
2. Lincoln’s Inn
3. Inner Temple
4. Middle Temple

Question 11

What do all student barristers have to pass?

Answer 11

the Bar Professional Training Course.

Question 12

What is pupillage?

Answer 12

1. 12 month period
2. Shadow a qualified barrister after 6 months
3. Then they can appear in court and conduct their own cases.

Question 13

Work of a barrister

Answer 13

• Work from a set of chambers + share office (10-15 ppl)

Question 14

Work of a barrister

Answer 14

• Work from a set of chambers + share office (10-15 ppl)

- They advocate in court

Question 15

How can barristers be recruited?

Answer 15

• Approached directly by client.
• Contacted by solicitor on behalf of client.
• Assigned to a client in criminal prosecution case if defendant has no representative.

Question 16

What is the ‘cab rank rule’?

Answer 16

A barrister cannot turn down a case if they’re free and if it’s in the area of law they deal with.

Question 17

What are the 2 regulatory bodies?

Answer 17

1. General Council of the Bar - promotes fair access to justice, acts as trade union.
2. Bar Standards Board - regulates professional standards, investigates breeches in codes of conduct.

Question 18

Becoming a Queen’s Counsel

Answer 18

• Must have 10 yrs experience as barrister/solicitor.
• High fees
• Candidates are interviewed, then recommended to Lord Chancellor for appointment.

Question 19

How do you become a legal executive?

Answer 19

• Candidates take the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) graduate fast-track diploma.
• Must have a law degree/completed a CPE

Question 20

What is the role of legal executives?

Answer 20

• Specialise in a particular area if law.
• Draft wills
• Advise clients

Question 21

What are the other ways to become a legal executives?

Answer 21

• Work for a law firm.
• Study part-time for level 3 diploma.
• Start as clerical assistant/legal secretary.

(must work for a further 3 yrs to qualify)

Question 22

Why are women less likely to progress?

Answer 22

• Lack of flexible working hours
• Traditional/male dominated
• Measurement of success