2. Solicitors Act 1974 and the Access to
Justice Act 1999 are the main statutory
authority for much of the regulation and
supervision of solicitors.
3. Sir David Clementi
undertook a wide-
ranging independent
review of the regulation
of the legal services
market. He submitted
his recommendations at
the end of 2004.
Clementi led to the
Legal Services Act.
4. The Legal Services Act (2007) is an Act of
Parliament in the UK that seeks to liberalise
and regulate the market for legal services in
England and Wales, to encourage more
competition, produce more consumer
focussed legal firms and to provide a new
route for consumer complaints.
The new act creates an over-regulator that
will oversee the Bar Standards Board and
the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
5. 57% of admissions to the solicitors roll were women and
18.2% were of minority ethnic origin.
However, these groups remain significantly under-
represented at the senior levels.
An Equal Pay Audit was undertaken in December 2004.
It concluded that there were no significant pay
differentials between men and women and between the
various ethnic groups.
In previous years it was found that there were
significant differentials in pay for women, who earned
less.
7. sets the standards for qualifying as a solicitor.
monitors the performance of organisations that provide legal training.
draft the rules of professional conduct, particularly to make sure they protect
the interests of clients.
administer the roll (register) of solicitors.
provide information to the public about solicitors, their work and the
standards the public is entitled to expect.
set requirements for solicitors' continuing professional development.
monitor solicitors and their firms to make sure they are complying with the
rules.
liaise with the Legal Services Ombudsman, Legal Services Complaints
Commissioner and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
investigate concerns about solicitors' standards of practice and compliance
with the rules, where necessary taking regulatory action such as reprimanding
the solicitor.
run a compensation fund to help people who have lost money as a result of a
solicitor's dishonesty or failure to account for money they have received.
8. The Law Society represents solicitors in
England and Wales. From negotiating with
and lobbying the profession's
regulators, government and others, to
offering training and advice, we're here to
help, protect and promote solicitors across
England and Wales.
Two parts:
SRA and LCS
9. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
deals with all regulatory and disciplinary
matters, and sets, monitors and enforces
standards for solicitors across England and
Wales. Formerly known as the Law Society
Regulation Board, it acts solely in the public
interest.
10. The Legal Complaints Service (LCS) is for
members of the public wishing to make a
complaint about solicitors. Formerly known
as the Consumer Complaints Service, this
independent and impartial body will work
with solicitors to resolve any issues quickly
and efficiently
11. Paul Marsh was first elected to the Law
Society Council in 1987, was re-elected
in 1999 and again in 2007
Paul has played a leading role in voicing
the profession's criticisms of Home
Information Packs (HIPS) legislation; he
is now committed to ensuring that
solicitors remain at the centre of the
conveyancing process. He has also been
a member of the Representation
Board, the Finance Sub-
Committee, Indemnity Insurance
Committee and chaired the
Conveyancing and Land Law Committee.
Paul, 60, is a consultant at Surrey law
firm Downs Solicitors LLP and
specialises in property work. He has
been married to Sheila for 36 years and
they have three children. His interests
include spending time with his
family, gardening and vintage cars.
Paul became president at the Law
Society AGM on 17 July 2008 and will
serve for one year.
12. Solicitors are in a position of trust. They
provide advice on matters that are
enormously important to their clients, so it
is essential that their advice is expert,
independent, efficient and courteous.
13. How are solicitors
1.
governed?
Who is president of
2.
the Law Society
Who regulates
3.
solicitors?
14. Clients can access
solicitors directly
Small firms offices on
high streets across the
country
City of London firms
might have 300
partners
15. Firms may differ but the role is the same:
Advise clients directly, through interview or by
correspondence
Prepare legal paperwork
Legal letters
Forms
Litigation management – bringing cases to court
Represent clients in the lower courts
(Magistrates and County courts)
16. Solicitors tend to Definition of
specialise in particular contentious:
areas of work: inclined or showing an
inclination to dispute
Contentious
or disagree, even to
Non-contentious
engage in law suits
Would you agree?
17. Disputes likely to be
resolved in court
Immigration
Divorce
Personal injury
General litigation
18. Largely involves
paperwork
Dealing with clients in
the office
Conveyancing
Drafting of wills
Financial services
Probate
19. If you leave school after GCSE’s may work in
a solicitors office to gain experience
Undergraduate read Law to qualify for a law
degree 3 years
Take ILEX part I and II exams to become a
member of the Institute. After 5 years
working in an office and exams (at least 5
core subjects) can be admitted as a fellow of
the Institute of legal executives
20. Or study any degree and do a 1 year conversion
course: Common Professional Exam (CPE)
Either way
Then: need a 1 year Legal Practice Course
(LPC) Vocational course to train students to
become practitioners
Then: Apply for and undertake training
contracts with firms 2 years
Qualify as a solicitor
21. What are the two
1.
types of work a
solicitor may carry
out
Give two examples of
2.
C work
Give 2 example of NC
3.
work
22. The UK has a divided legal profession (that
is solicitors and barristers) unlike other
jurisdictions where the legal functions are
fused and there is just one type of legal
professional.
23. Using your books find out the following
information for legal executives (inc
paralegals):
Governing body
Education / training
Role / workload
Workplace / examples
Liability / complaints
Recent changes
24. Solicitors Barristers Legal Executives
Governing Body
Education /
training
Role / workload
Workplace
examples
Liability /
complaints
recent changes
You may want to do this on the computer, or on A3 paper, you may conspire also!
