Chapter 16

The governing body for the solicitors’ branch of the legal profession.

A member or fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX). Some legal executives carry out similar work to solicitors and have some equivalent rights. This is a branch of the legal profession that can be joined upon leaving school rather than following a degree, and qualifications are gained whilst employed.

A post-graduate vocational course to train law students, or those students who have converted to law via the Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law, to become solicitors. Following the LPC, students must complete a training contract in order to practice as a solicitor.

General term for those working in a clerical and support capacity in a legal firm. Many students, after completing their Legal Practice or Bar Vocational Courses will work as a paralegal, before finding a training contract or pupillage.

The year long period when trainee barristers, referred to as pupils, work with an experienced barrister. This training takes place prior to qualification as a barrister.

An experienced barrister who is deemed to have excelled in advocacy. KCs are appointed by the King’s Counsel Selection Panel. Also referred to as a ‘silk’.

The right of an advocate to appear before a court and address it. On qualification, barristers have rights of audience in all courts. Solicitors, however, must undertake further training if they wish to appear in the higher courts.

One of the two branches of the legal profession in England and Wales; the other being a barrister. Traditionally, solicitors engaged less in oral advocacy in the courts. However, solicitors may now undertake additional training in order to gain full rights of audience in court. Solicitors are governed by the Law Society.

A solicitor who has undertaken additional training in order to gain full rights of audience in court.

A contract with (usually) a firm of solicitors which agrees to provide on the job training to a student wanting to be a solicitor. It is taken up after completion of both the academic and vocational stages of training. The training contract usually lasts for two years and, if completed satisfactorily, entitles the student to practice as a qualified solicitor.