Law Notes as Level
The legal profession and other sources of advice and funding
The legal profession consist of two main branches: barristers and solicitors. These branches of profession are the traditional ‘lawyer’ and have rights of audience ( to appear in court) and speak on behalf of their clients in court.
There also legal executives who are usually specialist employees of solicitors. A legal executive does not have the same rights of audience as a solicitor or barrister.
The Bar Council is the professional body for barristers in England and Wales. It is responsible for regulating barristers for example by setting entry qualifications and discipline.
Barristers of at least ten years standing may apply to become Queen’s Council. They undertake work of an important nature, and are referred to as ‘silks’.
Solicitors can now also apply to be a QC: the appointment of a QC is often seen as a stepping stone to applying to be a judge. These senior lawyers are made QC’s as recognition of their outstanding ability.
Honorary Qc’s- appointments of people who do not intend to practice in the courts as a QC but whose work in the law is deemed to deserve recognition.
Qualification
There are three stages to becoming a barrister. The stages are: the academic stage, the vocational stage and pupillage.
Academic stage: This sets the minimum educational requirement for becoming a barrister. This is a qualifying degree in law at the minimum of 2:ii which is set out by the Bar Council and the Law Society, as required by the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.
If a persons degree is in a subject other than law, or does not comply with the requirements for a law degree, a one year conversion course must be completed. Which is either the Common Professional Examination ( CPE) or an approved Graduate Diploma in Law ( GDL) course.
Before starting the vocational stage a person must join one of the four Inns of Court: Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple and the Gray’s Inn. The
The legal profession consist of two main branches: barristers and solicitors. These branches of profession are the traditional ‘lawyer’ and have rights of audience ( to appear in court) and speak on behalf of their clients in court.
There also legal executives who are usually specialist employees of solicitors. A legal executive does not have the same rights of audience as a solicitor or barrister.
The Bar Council is the professional body for barristers in England and Wales. It is responsible for regulating barristers for example by setting entry qualifications and discipline.
Barristers of at least ten years standing may apply to become Queen’s Council. They undertake work of an important nature, and are referred to as ‘silks’.
Solicitors can now also apply to be a QC: the appointment of a QC is often seen as a stepping stone to applying to be a judge. These senior lawyers are made QC’s as recognition of their outstanding ability.
Honorary Qc’s- appointments of people who do not intend to practice in the courts as a QC but whose work in the law is deemed to deserve recognition.
Qualification
There are three stages to becoming a barrister. The stages are: the academic stage, the vocational stage and pupillage.
Academic stage: This sets the minimum educational requirement for becoming a barrister. This is a qualifying degree in law at the minimum of 2:ii which is set out by the Bar Council and the Law Society, as required by the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.
If a persons degree is in a subject other than law, or does not comply with the requirements for a law degree, a one year conversion course must be completed. Which is either the Common Professional Examination ( CPE) or an approved Graduate Diploma in Law ( GDL) course.
Before starting the vocational stage a person must join one of the four Inns of Court: Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple and the Gray’s Inn. The