THE LEGAL PROFESSION

JUDGES Judges are supposed to be independent of political and commercial interests, so they can make a fair judgement. Judges serve in both criminal and civil cases. Their role is to make sure the law is applied in a fair and unbiased way.

Superior Judges The Law Lords Appointed by the Queen from the country’s most senior judges, they are made life peers. Their role is to hear cases where there is a dispute over the law. Usually these cases involve specialised and technical issues, as well as those attracting public attention e.g. Diane Pretty ‘right to die’

The Lord Justices of Appeal They hear both criminal and civil cases in the Court of Appeal. They must have at least 10 years experience as high court judges before being appointed by the Queen.

High Court Judges High Court Judges are also appointed by the Queen and are normally former barristers or circuit judges with 10 years experience. They may also hear more serious cases in the Crown Court.

INFERIOR JUDGES Circuit judges who sit in both Crown Court & county court Recorders who are part time judges normally sit in the Crown Court District judges who hear mainly small claims and sit in the county court. Magistrates Chairman of tribunals

Solicitors and Barristers Solicitors meet and interview clients, write letters, draw up contracts, deal with the legal side of buying property or land and draw up wills. Solicitors can specialise in areas such as divorce or business law, however, most conduct general practice Solicitors are involved in the pre-trial functions of preparing a case (witness preparation, documentation, costs etc)

Barristers The majority of barristers concentrate on advocacy, although some specialise in tax and company law. Barristers have right of audience in all courts in England and Wales and they represent the client in the courtroom. The solicitor briefs the barrister on cases, rarely does a barrister meet a client face to face.

Barristers There are about 10,000 barristers in England and Wales and are mostly self-employed, however some are employed by the CPS. After 10 years experience a barrister may apply to the Lord Chancellor to become a Queen’s Counsel (QC) – Cherie Blair is one! These experienced lawyers taken on high profile and often difficult cases. As a result some QC’s can earn up to £500,000 a year!!! Only 7% of QC’s are women. Only 8% of working barristers are from ethnic minority backgrounds!