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the Legal profession. - Coggle Diagram
the Legal profession.
Solicitors
role
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Solicitors work in firms (these vary in size ), they can work for a legal department within an organization e.g. for the BBC, for British Airways, for a charity or in local or central government.
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Draft documents, letters and contracts
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Solicitors can do advocacy qualification to enable them to appear in the higher courts (these solicitors are known as Solicitor Advocates)
A Solicitor Advocate can apply to become a King’s Counsel (KC) after 10 years (just like a barrister can). A KC is a senior barrister able to undertake the most complex and serious cases.
regulation
Solicitors are governed by the Law Society. It lays down the rules of the profession and represents the interests of solicitors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) deals with complaints about professional misconduct of solicitors.
If there is evidence of professional misconduct, the SRA can refer the case to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. It can fine, suspend, or strike off a solicitor
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Barristers
role
Specialize in advocacy - representing people in court. Engaged by solicitors to represent their client at court
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They also draft grounds for appeal and conduct appeals in the higher courts when there are sufficient grounds to bring a case.
After 10 years they can apply to to become King’s Counsel (KC). About of 10% of barristers are KCs - able to undertake the most complex cases.
Majority are self employed (do not receive a salary) as the money they earn comes from the work that they do
Most barristers work in a set of chambers (this is a group of barristers - typically about 30 or more who join together, share facilities and a place of work)
Barristers can be employed e.g. work “in house” in a legal department of an organisation e.g. Local Authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service, the BBC; British Airways; Charities, Supermarkets etc
Every Chambers employs a clerk (or several) - who have the role of dealing with solicitors and distributing work to the barristers in the Chambers (a bit like a manager)
regulation
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Bar Standards Board (BSB) is responsible for the training and education of barristers. It also disciplines barristers who breach their code of practice
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Legal executives
role
Legal executives work alongside solicitors do aspects of the work of a solicitor including interviewing clients, drafting documents, and providing advice
Generally they specialise in one narrow area of the law, as opposed to a solicitor who may have trained in several areas, such as personal injury or family law
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A Fully qualified Legal Executive is a Fellow of CILEX. It is possible for a Fellow to take further training and qualify as a Solicitor.
regulation
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This is the governing body for legal executives and provides education, training and sets the code of conduct
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If the matter is serious it will refer it to the Disciplinary Tribunal - it has the power to fine the member or exclude them from membership