LAWYERS IN THE UK.

Solicitors and Barristers

The most striking feature of the English legal profession is its division into two separate sub-professions- barristers and solicitors. Barristers are different from solicitors. Barristers are court- room lawyers and solicitors are office lawyers.

If a person has a legal problem, he goes to see a solicitor. Almost every town has at least one. In fact, there are about 60,000 solicitors in Britain. Many problems are dealt with exclusively by a solicitor. For instance, the solicitor deals with petty crimes. He may represent his client in the lower courts and some matrimonial matters in magistrates’ courts. He prepares the case and the evidence: interview client s and witnesses. In a civil action, he can speak in the county court, when the case is one of divorce or recovering some debts. Besides, a solicitor deals with other matters. He does the legal work involved in buying a house; he writes legal letters for you, he helps you to make a will, etc.

Barristers are experts in the interpretation of the law. They advise on really difficult points, and conduct legal proceedings in the higher courts. Barristers are rather remote figures. A barrister’s client can come to him only via a solicitor. They are not paid directly by clients but are employed by solicitors. Barristers do not have public offices in any street. They work in chambers, often in London. There are about 6,000 barristers in England. Usually only barristers can become judges in English courts.

How to become a lawyer in Great Britain

There are two basic patterns for becoming a solicitor. The first is for the student to obtain a University law degree (which requires three years of undergraduate education, then to serve an apprenticeship with an established solicitor for two - and –one- half years.) The second is to attend a specialized College of Law (a course of study which emphasizes practical aspects of the solicitors practice) for a few months in order to prepare for his exams and for years of apprenticeship. A student following this course need not attend University at all. Candidates follow both patterns, although the University approach is increasing in popularity. A candidate with a University education, although it was concentrated on the study of law, has a broader background for practice.

Every barrister is a member of the four Inns of Court. The Inns jointly conduct the bar exams. They separately call to the bar, or admit to practice, individuals who have passed the exams.

Those who don’t want to become lawyers can go on to do anything, such as working for business, commerce, industry or government. If you want to become a barrister or a solicitor, you have to do further professional training: 2 years to be a barrister and 3 years to be a solicitor.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14