legal personnel

• What are the two branches of the legal profession in England and Wales?

  Barristers and solicitors
• How do barristers and solicitors differ in their work?

  Barristers spend more time in court
• What analogy is made between barristers and solicitors in the medical profession?

  Barristers are like consultants, solicitors like GPs
• How many solicitors are there approximately in the UK?

  143,000
• How many barristers are there approximately in the UK?

  16,500
• What is the role of solicitors?

  They provide legal advice and representation
• Where do solicitors typically work?

  Law firms, companies, or government
• What does a solicitor's involvement in a criminal case entail?

  Providing legal advice and representation
• Can solicitors be employed by other companies?

  Yes, they can work for various organizations
• Who is the regulatory body for solicitors?

  Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
• What is the purpose of the SRA?

  To regulate solicitors and ensure standards
• What are the 'Codes' that solicitors must adhere to?

  Professional conduct and ethical standards
• What happens if a complaint is made against a solicitor?

  It is investigated by the SRA
• What is the relevance of the Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal?

  It hears serious complaints against solicitors
• Who is the Legal Ombudsman?

  An independent service for resolving complaints
• What is the Legal Services Board?

  A body overseeing legal services regulation
• What is the current education and training route for solicitors?

  GDL and LPC
• What is the new solicitor training route starting in 2021?

  Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
• What happens to those starting a law degree before the SQE?

  They can choose their qualification route
• What is the transition period for the new SQE route?

  From 2021 to 2032
• What could be evaluated about the old vs new training route for solicitors?

  Effectiveness and improvements of the SQE
• What diversity statistics exist for solicitors?

  65% female, 23% ethnic minority
• How does the diversity of solicitors compare to barristers?

  Solicitors are more diverse than barristers
• What is the role of barristers?

  To represent clients in court
• How does the role of barristers differ from solicitors?

  Barristers focus on court representation
• How are barristers organized?

  They work in chambers
• What is Article 6 of the ECHR relevant to barristers?

  It ensures the right to a fair trial
• What does BSB stand for?

  Bar Standards Board
• What does the General Council of the Bar do?

  Represents barristers and oversees standards
• Is the Legal Services Ombudsman relevant to barristers?

  Yes, for handling complaints
• What does the Bar Professional Training Course focus on?

  Key skills needed to become a barrister
• What is the Bar Aptitude Test?

  A test for entry into the BPTC
• What criticism was raised about the BPTC?

  High financial risk for trainees
• What is pupillage?

  The practical training stage for barristers
• How long does pupillage last?

  Two six-month periods
• What does the first six months of pupillage involve?

  Observing a qualified barrister
• What does the second six months of pupillage involve?

  Managing a personal case load
• Are there enough pupillages available?

  There may be a bottleneck in availability
• What are the diversity statistics for barristers?

  35% female, 79% white, 44% privately educated
• How does the diversity of barristers compare to solicitors?

  Barristers are less diverse than solicitors