According to the law Society's annual statistics. 2022 there were 156,976 practicing solicitors in
England and Wales, 95,729 of which work in private practice, solicitors firms
The remainder are employed by other organizations. For example, in banks, insurance companies
the BBC government departments and newspapers, solicitors cannot form companies but may now form L LP S limited liability partnerships
The traditional route to qualifying as a solicitor applies to anyone who started the process prior to 2021
This route will be available until 2032. The requirements are one either a law degree or any other degree and a graduate diploma
in law. Two, completion of a legal practice course, three, completion of a two year training contract in a law firm
Four undertake the professional skills course and pass the professional skills exam
There is an alternative route via silex. The new sqe route introduced by the solicitor's regulation authority applies
to anyone who starts the process. After 2021 the requirements are one
a degree level qualification in any subject. Two pass the solicitor's qualifying exams
Sqe one and sqe 23, complete two years of qualifying work experience
Four satisfy the sras character and suitability requirements. Solicitors
role in criminal justice includes advising suspects on their rights at police stations and sitting in on police interviews
They will represent clients at bail hearings in Magistrates courts and advise clients on their plea
They prepare a defense for trial and conduct advocacy in the Magistrates court
They will generally instruct a barrister for crown court trials unless they have extended rights of audience
They will also advise us to rights of appeal. Solicitors role in civil justice is diverse and will often depend on the area of
law. They specialize in their role may include conveyancing that is the buying and selling of property
They deal with the land registry and ensure that the relevant searches are completed
Solicitors draw up contracts and draft wills. They do probate, that is the distribution of an estate
When a person dies, they deal with divorce and child custody cases
They conduct litigation that is bringing actions in court in commercial law
They deal with mergers and acquisitions. They may do employment or drafting employment contracts and advising clients
Their role may also involve disputes between landlord and tenants and neighbor disputes
This may involve evictions, negotiation and drafting letters. They also deal with insolvency and debt corporate law and taxation
Solicitors automatically have rights of audience in the Magistrates and county courts up until relatively recently
They have not been able to appear in any other courts. The courts and legal Services Act 1990 allowed suitably qualified solicitors to have advocacy
rights in all courts. The original requirements for qualification were seen as too restrictive and not many solicitors applied for the extended rights
The current requirements are set out in the higher rights of audience regulations
2010 uptake is still low by November 2023 only 7100 solicitors had qualified
In summary, solicitors are qualified lawyers. Their work is diverse. Most will specialize in a particular area of law
The work they undertake will depend on their area of specialism. Solicitors can conduct advocacy in the Magistrates and county court but need further qualifications
to appear in the higher courts. This video is part of a series of videos on law from WWWE law resources.co.uk
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