UNIT FOUR

Types of Legal Professions in Great Britain, the USA & Russia

Text I

THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN GREAT BRITAIN

The legal profession in England is divided into two main groups, barris-
ters and solicitors. A popular definition of the distinction between solicitors
and barristers is that barristers do the court work and solicitors do the office
work. In practice, the major volume of court work is done by solicitors and
barristers do much "office" work. At present no solicitor, however experi-
enced, may represent a client at a full hearing in any of the higher courts. On
the other hand, a barrister, however inexperienced, may represent clients in
the House of Lords.

Being a solicitor does not simply involve acquiring a knowledge of the
theory and practice of the law. It also requires high standards of conduct and
an onerous obligation to the courts. The full title of a solicitor is "Solicitor
of the Supreme Court". All solicitors are automatically officers of the court.
They have duties to the court which sometimes override the duties to their
clients. For instance, solicitors must not knowingly allow their client to tell
lies in the witness box. If a client confesses their guilt to a solicitor, the so-
licitor would be committing an offence if he or she then called the client to
give evidence that they were innocent.

Many barristers, especially junior barristers, spend much of their lime on
paperwork, giving opinions, drafting pleadings and or her documents related
10 court proceedings, but also drafting contracts, trust deedsand other formal
legal documents which are not immediately connected with litigation.

A person seeking to qualify as a solicitor can become a trainee solicitor
after three years of university legal education and one extra year doing the
legal practice course. As a trainee solicitor it is possible to obtain a paid po-
sition even before qualifying.

The young would be barrister has much less chance of earning anything
before he qualifies, must then obtain a seat in chambers from which he can
try to build up a practice, knowing that, times will probably be hard for a
few years. He has to meet his own expenses, cover his own holidays and
buy his own (very expensive) sick-pay insurance. In return he gets the sat-
isfaction of wearing a wig. and of being self-employed. Doubtless also,
being a barrister still sounds a much more glamorous occupation than being
a solicitor.

Notes

Legal profession- юридическая профессия

barrister — адвокат, выступающий в суде

solicitor- поверенный

do the court work - выполнять работу в суде

dо the оffiсe work - выполнять работу в конторе

represent a client at full hearing - представлять клиента

на полном слушании
acquiring a knowledge of the theory and practice - приобретение

знаний no теории и практике

onerous - обременительный

officеr of the court - судебный исполнитель
have duties to the court - иметь обязательства перед судом
override — превышать

witness box - место для дачи свидетельских показаний

confess a guilt - признать вину

offenсе - правонарушение

give evidence – давать свидетельские показания

innocent - невиновный

draft составлять проект

pleadings — состязательные бумаги, которыми обмениваются
стороны на предварительной стадии судебного процесса
court proceedings - рассмотрение дела в суде
trust deed –акт учреждения доверительной собственности
legal documents - юридические документы
litigation — судебная тяжба

qualify as a solicitor - получить квалификацию повереннoго
trainee - практикант

legal education - юридическое образование

legal practice - юридическая практика

obtain a paid position – получить оплачиваемую должность

would-be barrister - стремящийся стать адвокатом

obtain a seat in chambers - получить место в конторе

sick-pay – insurance - оплата по болезни

build up a practice приобрести клиентуру

Ex.1. Составьте предложения, используя следующие слова и словосочетания

a) to commit/а crime/а suicide/а murder.

b) to give / evidence/ an opinion/ notice/ time/ the benefit of the doubt.
to draft / pleadings/ contracts/ trust deeds / legal documents / a letter
to the bank manager/a report.