Legal persons

• Solicitors Role 


  Solicitors work in firms, can work in local governments the CPS or corporate companies

  • Trainee
  • Assistant solicitor
  • Partner

  They usually work in advising people on legal problems, writing letters and making phone calls on their behalf.

  Also negotiating out-of-court settlements and advocacy in the lower courts and in the higher court if they have an advocacy certificate.

  They also can refer cases to the barristers if they are not qualified in certain aspects.
• Barrister Role


  They work in Bar Chambers and are self-employed, they can also work for the CPS or local government.

  • Pupil
  • junior barrister
  • Kings counsel

  Mostly barristers are involved with advocacy in the higher courts aswell as rights of audience in the lower courts

  They also draft legal documents for their clients and can often written opinions.

  They also receive briefs from solicitors in which if it is a criminal court case they cannot refuse.
• Solicitor Regulations


  • First the complaint should go to the firm they work at- apology, reduced price
  • Then the complaint cant go to the Solicitors Regulatory Authority, created by the Legal Services Act 2007, reduced bill, apology and reprimand the solicitor.
  • Then it goes to the Solicitors disciplinary tribunal, hold a hearing and can fine, suspend or strike off the solicitor.
  • Finally, it can go to the Legal services ombudsman, who can tell the SRA to reconsider complaint or order compensation of up to 30,000 pounds.
  • Client can also sue for negligence.
• Barrister Regulations 


  • First the complaint will go back to the chambers, reduce charges apologises or improve service
  • Then it will go to the Bar standards board, can reduce charges
  • Can then go to the disciplinary tribunal, can be a warning, more training, a fine up to 50,000, ban them from accepting work with the public without an involvement of a solicitor or suspend them for 12 months
  • Then the Legal service ombudsman- can turn it back or force compensation for up to 30,000
  • Can also sue for negligence, Hall v Simons
• Role of Legal Executives 


  • Work in the exact same way as solicitors
  • Gained experience working in solicitors offices and studying part time
  • They can advise clients, draft legal documents, settle out of court dispute and deal with conveyancing as long as some advocacy in the lower court.
  • Cannot become partners as they are not qualified solicitors
  • Far more specialised than those who took the graduate route
• Regulation of Legal Executives


  Members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, which the regulation board will investigate and offer these remedies:

  • Exclusion of Member of CILEX
  • Reprimand or warning
  • Payment of up to 3,000
  • Can also be put to the legal ombudsman
  • Compensation to the client can be demanded from this