Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
SOLICITORS (Role (Specialising (Even within the firm the solicitors are…
SOLICITORS
Role
About 40,000 solicitors are employed
-
The majority of those who succeed in qualifying as a solicitor will then work in private practice in a solicitor’s firm
-
Other careers available, some newly qualified solicitors may go on to work in the Crown Prosecution Service or for a local authority or government department
-
In January 2017 there was a total of 10,370 firms of solicitors, ranging from the small ‘high street’ practice to the big city firms
The number of partners is not limited, and some of the biggest firms will have over a hundred partners as well as employing assistant solicitors
-
Specialising
-
In large firms there will be an even greater degree of specialisation, with departments dealing with one aspect of the law
The firm itself may handle only certain types of cases (perhaps only civil actions) and not do any criminal cases, or a firm may specialise in matrimonial cases
-
Some solicitors may be general practitioners handling a variety of work, it isn't usual, even in small firms, for a solicitor in one particular field
Briefing Barristers
Where it is necessary to go to court, the solicitor may decide to brief a barrister to do the case
-
Rights of advocacy
Solicitors in private practice now have the right to apply for a certificate of advocacy which enables them to appear in the higher courts
Such a certificate is granted in the Magistrates’ Court and the County Court, takes a short training course and passes examinations on the rules of evidence
-
-
All solicitors have always been able to act as advocates in the Magistrates’ Courts and the County Courts, but their rights of audience in the higher courts used to be very limited
Evaluation
If they have a degree in a subject other than law and have had to do the GDL, they will also have had to pay for that course
Problem's increased since universities have raised fees to £9,000 a year - students are already in debt from their degree course
Students from less-well off families cannot afford to take the course - prevented from becoming solicitors, even though they may have obtained a good law degree
To try help would-be solicitors, the GDL can be taken as a part-time course over 2 years, instead of the 1 year full-time course
Doing the course part-time allows students to work, easing their financial problems
Often work as a paralegal in a law firm, so they get practical experience at the same time
Students normally have to pay the fees of the Legal Practice Course (about £14,000) and support themselves why doing the course
-
-
-
Qualification + Training
-
-
To become a solicitor it’s usual to have a law degree, although those with a degree in a subject other than law can take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
-
Of the 136,000 about 9,000 are in private practice and the remainder are in employed work, e.g. for:
-
-
-
-
About 136,000 solicitors practising in England + Wales and they are controlled by their own professional body – the Law Society