Legal Personnel: Solicitors Flashcards
How many solicitors are there in England and Wales?
136,000
How many work for private practice or are employed by the local government/CPS?
90,000
Who are solicitors represented by?
The Law Society
Who are solicitors controlled by?
Solicitors Regulatory Authority
Where do solicitors have rights of audience?
In the MC and County Court under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990
What are solicitor advocates?
Solicitors who take part in futher training to gain higher rights of audience
What kind of areas of work does a solicitor do?
Family
Conveyancing
PI
What do solicitors do?
Give legal advice
Prepare docs for trial
Liase/negotiate with other parties
Interview clients
Send instructions to clients
Queens Council?
After 10 yrs of being a solicitor, can apply to become part of the Queen’s Council
‘Taking silk’
Where can someone make a complaint against a solicitor?
Office
What happens if the case can’t be resolved in the office?
Can complain to the LO or the SRA
What is the Legal Ombudsman?
Set up by the Office for Legal Complaints under the Legal Services Act 2007
Poor service
Can make solicitor apologise, return docs, refund/reduce legal fees, pay compensation up to £30k
Legally binding
What is the Solicitors Regulation Authority?
Breached one or more of the SRA principles e.g., act dishonestly
If evidence of serious misconduct, case is put before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
Tribunal can fine/reprimand or strike them off the roll
Can a solicitor be sued?
If client doens’t pay, solicitor can sue client
If solicitor breaches contract, client can sue
Can sue for negligence (White v Jones)
