Week 6

Question 1

Difference between Barristers and Solicitors ?

Answer 1

Barristors are litigators in the courtroom. Solicitors do Office/Business/Transactional work.

Question 2

What are some common contracts found in the law office?

Answer 2

• Retainer Agreement – agreement between the lawyer and their client which governs how much the lawyer will charge, what services the lawyer will provide to the client; hour by hour billing
• Contingency Agreement – agreement most commonly found in law offices that do personal injury cases (car accidents) that governs how much the lawyer will charge and what services the lawyer will provide to the client- % of winnings billing and only if client wins

Question 3

How does a lawyer get paid?

Answer 3

Lawyers get paid usually by clients depositing money into a trust account – this is a special bank account that the lawyer can only use once she has billed the client and given a receipt showing they have been paid. This type of account is different than the lawyer’s everyday account which they might use for paying their office expenses and staff

Question 4

What does the Law Society of British Columbia do?

Answer 4

Regulates the legal profession in BC,protecting the public interest in the administration of justice.

Question 5

What are typical tasks which put the law firm at risk?

Answer 5

• Limitation dates

- Trust accounts