Barristers, legal profs, legal execs, solicitors

• Barristers:

  • Usually self-employed & usually work in chambers but can work for organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service
  • They have rights of audience in all courts
  • Criminal law - are given cases & briefed by solicitors
  • Civil law - clients may be able to contact them directly
  • Give advice/counsel's opinion to solicitors
  • Draft legal documents
  • Can become a QC - top 10% of all barristers, they have the more serious/complex cases
  • Specialise in an area of law such as criminal law
  • Governed by the Bar Council
  • Regulated by the Bar Standards Board
• Solicitors

  • Usually work for a firm of solicitors or a company
  • Rights of audience in the Magistrates' & County Court
  • Organise barristers if case is going to court
  • First point of contact for clients
  • Write letters & drafts documents
  • Specialise in an area of law
  • Governed by the Law Society
  • Regulated by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority
• Legal executive:

  • Work alongside solicitors, do less complex work & are supervised by a solicitor
  • Limited rights of audience in the County Court
  • First point of contact for straightforward cases
  • Write letters & drafts documents
  • Specialise in conveyancing & wills
  • Governed by the Charted Institute of Legal Executives
  • Regulated by the CILEx Regulation