Exercise 1
Look at this list of legal occupations. All of these people work in
law. We call all of the people who work in these jobs, ‘the legal
profession’. Name the descriptions.
a. This person is a lawyer who gives legal advice and opinions to
solicitors. He or she passed the exams of the Bar Council of England
& Wales at the end of his or her studies.
b. This person is a lawyer who gives legal advice to individuals and
companies. He or she passed his or her exams in the USA at the end
of his or her studies and is usually a member of the American Bar
Association.
c. This person is a lawyer who gives legal advice to individuals and
companies. He or she passed the exams of the Law Society of
England & Wales at the end of his or her studies.
d. This is the general job title that we use for people who work as a
solicitor, barrister or attorney.
Exercise 2
Read this text about working in law. The most important words
are in the key vocabulary below. Decide if the statements on the
next page are true or false.
There are two types of lawyer who practise in England. They are called
barristers and solicitors.In the USA and most other countries, lawyers don’t
make this division – a lawyer is simply known as an attorney at law, or an
attorney. In both England and the USA, it is not possible to take a special
exam to be a judge. If you decide that you want to be a judge, you must
get a lot of experience as a lawyer first, then apply to be a judge and wait
to see if you are chosen. Most law students in England become solicitors.
When they finish their university studies they do a one year legal practice
course and then a two-year training contract with a law firm. After that,
they are qualified solicitors. Many solicitors work for a legal practice, which
is usually a partnership of solicitors who work together. Solicitors practise
in many areas of law, although each solicitor usually chooses to specialise
in one particular area. They represent theirclients both in and out of court.
We often describe this as acting for a client. The process of making a claim
in the civil court is called litigation.
Barristers are self-employed lawyers and don’t work in partnerships in the
way that solicitors do. Theyare specialists in advocacy, which is the skill of
speaking for someone in court. We call this pleading a case. They also give
opinions on areas of law to solicitors and the solicitors’ clients. It is not just
barristers who have the right of audience in court – solicitors are also
allowed to represent their clients in court and many solicitors appear in
court every day. It is not true to say that a client always needs a barrister
in court
a There are two types of lawyer practising in England. _ True _
False
b Last year I finished my training contract and I started working
for a _ True _ False
large international law firm. I am now a qualified lawyer.
c Only barristers can speak on behalf of clients in court. _ True _
False
d Many solicitors work together in partnerships but barristers
don’t. _ True _ False
e In the USA and England lawyers can take a special exam to be a
judge. _ True _ False
Exercise 1
Look at these situations and decide if the person needs a criminal
lawyer or a civil lawyer.
In other words, is it a criminal matter or a civil matter?
a Mr Bellerby is opening a new factory. He
needs to visit a lawyer to get a contract for
all of his employees to sign.
_ criminal _ civil
b Mrs Robson is thinking about what she wants
to happen to her house and possessions after
her death. She needs to visit a lawyer to get
the correct document, which is called a ‘will’.
_ criminal _ civil
c The police are taking Mr Dean to the police
station because they say he stole a car. He
needs a lawyer to come and visit him there
to tell him what to do.
_ criminal _ civil
d Mr Flynn owns a restaurant. He has a
contract with a company to deliver fruit and
vegetables to his restaurant. The company
didn’t deliver them on the agreed date, so
Mr Flynn lost money because he could not
open his restaurant that day. Mr Flynn needs
to see a lawyer about asking the delivery
company to give him the money he lost.
_ criminal _ civil
e Mr Allen is a bank manager. The bank is
saying that some money is missing. Mr Allen
has a new car and expensive clothes. The
police are coming to ask Mr Allen some
questions. He needs a lawyer immediately.
_ criminal _ civil
