Barristers and Solicitors
Barristers and Solicitors
Qualification and Training
Solicitors
There are over 100’000 solicitors in England and Wales. Controlled by the Law Society. * Academic – Either a law degree or any other degree combined with one year training in the Common Professional Examination. * Vocational – One year Legal Practice Examination (learn how to do the job of a solicitor) * Practical – Must obtain a Training Contract for 2 years. Practical experience. Will be paid, although not very high. Do own work and shadow. * or... AVPP
Post qualification- Must complete a 20 day Professional Skills Course to build on skills. Continuous professional development.
Barristers
There are 12’000 barristers in England and Wales. Controlled by the General Council of the Bar. (Also, must be a member of one of the four Inns of Court) * Academic –Either a law degree or any other degree combined with one year training in the Common Professional Examination. * Vocational- One year Bar Vocational Course (learn how to do job of a barrister) After this, you are called to ‘the bar’. * Practical- Pupillage on the job training, shadowing work. 2 six month contracts. Small salary. * Post qualifications- Must engage in Continuous personal development.
Work/Role
Solicitors
Solicitors can work in 2 main environments: - Private firms or employed practice. or... CALL AD
Private firms * Legal Advice- Give advice to clients. * Drafting documents- Drafting up contracts, wills, divorce papers, etc. * Administrative work- Letters, phone calls, organising, etc. * Litigation- Also known as negotiation. Preparing case. E.g. in a divorce case with other sol. * Commercial work- Registering businesses, companies, contracts, etc. * Advocacy- May also act for clients in course. Can only advocate in limited circumstances.
Criminal cases * Attend accused at P.S. * Advise the accused. * Help accused obtain legal advice. * Interview
Qualification and Training
Solicitors
There are over 100’000 solicitors in England and Wales. Controlled by the Law Society. * Academic – Either a law degree or any other degree combined with one year training in the Common Professional Examination. * Vocational – One year Legal Practice Examination (learn how to do the job of a solicitor) * Practical – Must obtain a Training Contract for 2 years. Practical experience. Will be paid, although not very high. Do own work and shadow. * or... AVPP
Post qualification- Must complete a 20 day Professional Skills Course to build on skills. Continuous professional development.
Barristers
There are 12’000 barristers in England and Wales. Controlled by the General Council of the Bar. (Also, must be a member of one of the four Inns of Court) * Academic –Either a law degree or any other degree combined with one year training in the Common Professional Examination. * Vocational- One year Bar Vocational Course (learn how to do job of a barrister) After this, you are called to ‘the bar’. * Practical- Pupillage on the job training, shadowing work. 2 six month contracts. Small salary. * Post qualifications- Must engage in Continuous personal development.
Work/Role
Solicitors
Solicitors can work in 2 main environments: - Private firms or employed practice. or... CALL AD
Private firms * Legal Advice- Give advice to clients. * Drafting documents- Drafting up contracts, wills, divorce papers, etc. * Administrative work- Letters, phone calls, organising, etc. * Litigation- Also known as negotiation. Preparing case. E.g. in a divorce case with other sol. * Commercial work- Registering businesses, companies, contracts, etc. * Advocacy- May also act for clients in course. Can only advocate in limited circumstances.
Criminal cases * Attend accused at P.S. * Advise the accused. * Help accused obtain legal advice. * Interview