Legal Personnel

Question 1

Barristers

Answer 1

Self-employed, but work from a set of chambers to share administrative expenses with around 15-20 other barristers.
When presenting cases in court, Barristers have full rights of audience, so can present cases in any English or Welsh court.

Question 2

Solicitors

Answer 2

Majority in private practise although some work in house for business
-Work in partnership from small to big city firms
-Draft contracts and leases
-Draw up wills
-Conveyancing
-Is often specialisation into key areas like company & commercial and probate
Automatic rights of audience in Magistrate’s Court or County Court, can get advocacy to do cases in higher courts.

Question 3

Legal executives

Answer 3

Specialise in a particular area of law, similar day-to-day work of a solicitor:
- handle legal aspects of property transfer
- assist in company formation
- draft wills
- advise matrimonial issues
- advise clients accused of serious/petty crime

Question 4

Role of judges

Answer 4

Judge ensures that the case is conducted fairly and that all parties involved are given the opportunity for their case to be presented and considered.
Once all evidence in the case has been heard, the judge will sum up the case. The judge sets out for the jury the law on each of the charges made and what the prosecution must prove.
If the jury find the defendant guilty then the judge will decide on an appropriate sentence. Both magistrates and judges have the power to imprison those convicted of a crime, if the offence is serious enough.