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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.
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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!