M3 T4 Education, training and development of the legal profession in the UK

Question 1

In the UK, the attorney and the judge have(?)

Answer 1

the same origin and development. An attorney may become a judge

Question 2

What are the three categories that the legal practice is divided into?

Answer 2

1. Barristers
2. Solicitors
3. Legal executives(lesser importance)

Question 3

when did the legal profession of barristers arise?

Answer 3

with the centralization of justice in the 13th-14th century

Question 4

What do we mean when we say that lawyers play the role of the defenders of the common law?

Answer 4

They guarantee the liberties of citizens against the arbitrariness of an absolute monarchy.

Question 5

What was historically the role of the barristers?

Answer 5

held the exclusive right of appearance before the courts. They represent the elite of the English and Wales legal profession.

Question 6

What are the two steps of the barrister training?

Answer 6

1. Degree in law from a recognized university
2. Bar professional training course at one of the inns of court where young lawyers live with their mentors to learn the practice of law and build character.

Question 7

What are the four inns of court that one must attend in order to become a recognized barrister?

Answer 7

1. Lincoln’s inn
2. Inner temple
3. Middle Temple
4. Gray’s Temple

Question 8

Barristers

What is “Called to the bar”?

Answer 8

A ceremony after the training at the Inns

Question 9

Barristers

What is “The Bar Council”?

Answer 9

A professional association the barristers are members of.

Question 10

What is the role of the barrister today?

Answer 10

To represent the client before the court. In earlier practice barristers never had direct contact with the clients as the solicitors acted as mediators. Today, these roles have evolved.

Question 11

What is the Queen’s council?

Answer 11

Barristers with exceptional careers and acknowledged prestige. This is from where most senior judges are appointed.

Question 12

Who can the barristers represent?

Answer 12

Both individuals and the state

Question 13

What is the principal role of a solicitor?

Answer 13

To provide legal advice

Question 14

What does the Solicitors regulation Authority do?

Answer 14

Regulates the training of the solicitors

Question 15

What are the 3 stages of the solicitor’s training?

Answer 15

1. Academic stage
   Degree in law from a recognized university or take a professional exam or getting a diploma in law.(need approval.)
2. Vocational stage
   Cours of legal practice where one works at a solicitor’s office for two years.
3. Admission to the profession
   A formal ceremony led by the Master of the Rolls

Question 16

Where are the solicitors associated?

Answer 16

in a professional college called The Law Society

Question 17

Where can Solicitors practice?

Answer 17

1. Individually
2. Law firms
3. Partnerships
4. Legal departments of companies
5. Agencies of the Administration of Justice

Question 18

What are the 5 steps of a solicitor’s legal career?

Answer 18

1. Legal apprentice
2. Assistant
3. Associate
4. Junior partner
5. Senior partner

Question 19

What services can solicitor’s provide?

Answer 19

Advice and assistance:

• On business and personal matters
• Draw up sales and purchase contracts
• Deeds transferring title to property
  etc. …

Question 20

Can Solicitors represent clients before the court?

Answer 20

Yes, both lower and higher courts.

They also carry out preliminary procedural steps

Question 21

What is the education and training of legal executives?

Answer 21

Practical exercise of the profession as an alternative to the university degree.

Allowed to become a solicitor two years after reaching the highest professional category of a fellow

Question 22

What is the association of the legal executives?

Answer 22

Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX)

Question 23

What is the specialization of legal executives?

Answer 23

Fields of Civil litigation

• debt recovery
• family law
• probate
• employment
• non-serious crimes

Question 24

Can legal executives appear before courts?

Answer 24

They can assist clients before lower courts but need certain training requirements.

Question 25

Where do legal executives practice?

Answer 25

They are employed by a firm of solicitors

Question 26

What is the code of ethics: the ethical standards of legal executives?

Answer 26

The same as solicitors and barristers

Question 27

Judges are appointed from among…

Answer 27

practicing lawyers. This is different from the examination process of the continental legal tradition

Question 28

Who are the supreme court judges?

Answer 28

11 members of the House of Lords (Law Lords)

Question 29

Who are the judges of the High Court of Justice?

Answer 29

appointed from among barristers of acknowledged prestige. They serve for a life term and retire at age 70.

Question 30

Who are the county court judges?

Answer 30

Barristers with over 7 years of experience

Question 31

Who are the judges of first instance or magistrates?

Answer 31

Lay judges with no formal legal training appointed by the Ministry of Justice.

In the cities, they are professional stipendiary magistrates. (solicitors and barristers.)

Question 32

what are the three objectives of the judicial studies board?

Answer 32

1. Ensure judges are properly trained
2. Safeguard their independence
3. Promote citizen’s trust in the judicial system

Question 33

what are the three types of functions of the judicial studies board?

Answer 33

1. Initial training of new judges
2. Ensure updated training and competencies of judges
3. Keep the system up to date by imparting programs of support for changes in the law and the administration of justice

Question 34

what are the three most characteristic features of the legal profession?

Answer 34

1. Practical training
2. Three categories of attorneys
3. Sequential evolution: barristers become judges