Legal professionals – who does what?
Arbitrator and mediator
Arbitration and mediation are non-judicial and alternative ways to resolve disputes without going to court.
Arbitrators and mediators are neutral. This means they will not take sides and cannot provide advice.
They are often experts in the field of that the dispute is about. They will reach a decision after hearing from both sides of the dispute.
Barrister
Barristers are legal advisers and courtroom advocates.
Barristers put legal arguments to judges, magistrates and juries. They cross-examine witnesses and attempt to sway the outcome of a court case.
Barristers typically have no direct contact with the public. They appear in court when instructed by a solicitor. Only barristers or qualified solicitor advocates may represent clients in the higher courts.
Barristers are highly trained courtroom advocates. They deal with the majority of serious and high profile court cases.
Costs lawyers
Costs lawyers make sure that a firm's clients are properly charged for work they've done on the clients' behalf.
They also help apportion costs between the two sets of legal advisers at the end of long and complex cases.
In some cases, they represent clients in court when there is an issue over costs.
Judge
Judges decide legal cases in certain circumstances. If a trial involves a jury, judges rule over the proceedings to make sure the process is fair and that the jury has arrived at their decision in the correct way.
Both solicitors and barristers may be appointed as judges. The Judicial Appointments Commission selects candidates for judicial office based on merit.
Legal cashier
Legal cashiers usually work in solicitors' practices.
They keep financial records and keep solicitors informed of the financial position of the firm.
Visit the Institute of Legal Finance & Management (ILFM) website
Legal executive
A chartered legal executive can work in a legal office. They have the option to later qualify as a solicitor through further vocational training.
Fully qualified chartered legal executive lawyers can have their own clients and represent them in court, where appropriate.
The main difference between solicitors and legal executives is that legal executive training is narrower. Legal executives study to the same level as a solicitor, but they specialse in a particular area of law and complete fewer subjects overall.
Legal secretary
Legal secretaries provide secretarial and clerical support to solicitors, barristers and the law courts.
They deal with large quantities of correspondence. They help prepare documents such as wills, divorce petitions and witness statements.
Legal secretaries are specialists because legal documents are composed differently from other commercial documents.
Positions can usually be found by contacting firms directly or checking with local recruitment agencies.
Notary
Notaries are qualified lawyers appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and regulated by the Master of the Faculties.
Notaries practice under very similar rules to solicitors. This includes renewing a practicing certificate, keeping client money separate and maintaining insurance.
Notaries authenticate and certify signatures and documents, and often also practice as solicitors.
Paralegal
Paralegals assist lawyers in their work. They do some of the same work as lawyers but do not give advice
to consumers of legal services.
The paralegal is a relatively modern phenomenon in British legal circles. The role has
transferred across from the US where paralegals have operated in a support role in law firms for many years.
The duties
of a paralegal will vary according to the type of firm and practice area. Standard paralegal tasks may
include research and drafting documents, attending client meetings and document management. Paralegals might prepare reports
to help lawyers prepare their case.
Some paralegals help to write contracts and mortgages. Some help to prepare income tax returns and other financial documents.
Firms usually look for law graduates to fill paralegal roles. Some also look for non-law graduates who have
completed the Common Professional Examination or Graduate Diploma in Law. Larger
firms may look for graduates who have also passed the Legal Practice Course.
Paralegal vacancies are
generally not well advertised. A good approach is to submit your CV to firms or organisations that you are interested
in working for. Publications such as the Law Society Gazette also run
advertisements for these positions.
Visit the Institute of Paralegals website
Visit the National Association of Licensed Paralegals website
Solicitor
Solicitors work in many different areas of law and offer many different services. They provide expert legal advice and assistance in a range of situations.
Solicitors are confidential advisers and will often have direct contact with their clients.
Everyday issues solicitors deal with include:
- providing expert guidance on the issues people regularly face. For example, buying and selling houses, drawing up wills, dealing with relationship breakdown and helping businesses with the legal side of commercial transactions
- protecting the rights of individuals by advising people of their rights, ensuring they are treated fairly by public or private bodies, and that they receive compensation when they have been unfairly treated
- supporting the community by undertaking legal aid work or spending a portion of their time providing free help for those unable to pay for legal services
- representing clients personally in the lower courts (Magistrates’ courts, County Court and tribunals). With specialist training solicitors can also represent clients in higher courts (Crown Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court)
The Law Society represents, promotes and supports solicitors in England and Wales.
Usher
Ushers' duties include escorting judges to and from court and preparing and closing courtrooms.
A large part of the job is carrying out court duties. This includes finding names of legal representatives, preparing court lists, maintaining order in the courtroom, administering oaths in court, and handing round exhibits.
Visit the HM Courts & Tribunals Service webpage for more information
