The normal way to become a solicitor is obtaining a law degree (three years of university legal education ), then pass the Legal Practice Course (LPC) - this is a further course of study, designed to prepare you for work in a solicitor’s office which takes a year. After this you spend two years working in a solicitors’ office under a training contract. Solicitors are usually employed and normally get salaries but sometimes they can get extra money in the profits if they are successful.
You must have a law degree to train as a barrister. The young would-be barrister has much less chance of earning anything before he qualifies, must then obtain a seat in chambersfrom which he can try to build upa practice. Chambers usually refer to the rooms used by a barrister or to a group of barristers, especially in the Inns of Court. To share costs and expenses, barristers typically operate fraternally with each other, as 'chambers'. Chambers are administered by barristers' clerks who receive cases from solicitors and agree on matters such as fees on behalf of their employers; they then provide case details to the barristers.
Barristers are self-employed and have to meet their own expenses, cover their own holidays and buy their own (very expensive) sick-pay insurance.They are also responsible for all their own paper work such as VAT, tax and expenses which is why barristers work together in chambers to share the costs. In return he gets the satisfaction of wearing a wig and of being self-employed in the independent Bar. Doubtless also, being a barrister still sounds a more glamorous occupation than being a solicitor.
3. The legal training for solicitors (who provide general legal advice to clients) and barristers (who present cases in the upper courts) is different. The following short texts describe the stages in legal training, but they are mixed up. Put the steps into the correct category and order.
1. PRACTICE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
The next stage is to obtain a 'tenancy': becoming an assistant to a practising barrister.
2. GETTING THE QUALIFICATIONS
The next step is to acquire some legal training specific to the work of a barrister.
3. DEVELLOPING PRACTICAL SKILLS
Next the intending solicitor has to enter a two-year training contract with a firm of solicitors to gain practical experience in a variety of areas of law.
4. GETTING THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: PUPILLAGE.
This is the 'apprenticeship' served by trainee barristers, who are known as pupils. It usually takes a year and consists of a mixture of assisting and observing experienced barristers, as well as more practical experience.
5. GETTING THE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
The quickest and most common route to qualification is by means of a qualifying law degree.
6. GETTING THE VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
You will have to undertake the legal Practice Course, which is the professional training for solicitors. The course teaches the practical application of the law to the needs of clients.
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7. GETTING THE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
The first part of training to become a barrister is known as the academic Stage, which provides a general theoretical introduction to the law.
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Read this excerpt from an article in a law-school newspaper about law firm culture. Which type of firm would you prefer to work for? Why?
One factor which plays an important role in the culture of a law firm is its size. Law forms can range from a one person solo practice (conducted by a sole practitioner) to global firms employing hundreds of attorneys all over the world. A small law firm, which typically engages from two to ten lawyers, is sometimes known as a boutique firm, as it often specialises in a specific area of the law. A mid-size law firm generally has ten to 50 lawyers, while a large law firm is considered to be one employing 50 or more attorneys.
Listen to five lawyers talking about their firms, practice areas and clients.
Tick the information you hear about each speaker.
Speaker 1...
has a few years' working experience.
works as a clerk at a mid-size commercial law firm.
will get to know other departments of the firm.
meets with clients regularly.
plans to specialise in commercial litigation.
Speaker 2...
is a sole practitioner.
works in the area of employment law.
deals with wage disputes.
represents clients in mediation.
has many clients who are small businesses.
Speaker 3...
works in the area of secured transactions.
carries out trademark registrations.
assists clients who are in artistic professions.
serves as an expert witness in court.
is a partner in a large IP firm.
Speaker 4...
is a senior partner in a mid-size law firm.
specialises in competition law.
represents clients before the employment tribunal.
deals with infringements of the Competition Act.
has clients in the telecommunications sector.
Speaker 5...
owns shares in his firm.
argues cases in court.
works in the area of real property law.
represents landlords but not tenants.
teaches courses on litigation at the law university.