A solicitor is a legal expert who normally deals with all the legal matters in any jurisdictions. To be legally defined as a solicitor, an individual should have legally defined qualifications, which differ from one jurisdiction to the other, and enabled to practice there as a professional solicitor. Generally, solicitors are appointed by the solicitors’ court in a certain jurisdiction. The court delegates the duty of solicitors to other qualified lawyers or barristers.
Generally, under the common law, solicitors and barristers are disbarred or removed from the practice of law. But, under the statute law of some jurisdictions, they may be permitted to practice as solo practitioners. They are required to take the oaths of confidentiality, observe the rules of ethics, and engage in conduct as worthy of trust. In England & Wales, solicitors can act on behalf of the clients in legal matters. Under the Solicitors Regulation Act 1985, every solicitor must undertake and perform the responsibilities and obligations that arise under the law concerning the handling of clients’ legal affairs. It also provides for the registration of solicitors.
Solicitors in the United Kingdom enjoy the same status as lawyers in the United States and Canada. The Solicitors Regulation Act 1985 provides that solicitors must undertake and perform the duties and obligations that arise under the common law, as well as the duties and responsibilities that arise under the regulations. The common law also provides that solicitors cannot act on behalf of their clients without the approval of their clients. The United Kingdom Solicitors Regulation Act 1992 permits the professional reputation of solicitors to be damaged by any report of malpractice, breaches of fiduciary duty, or corruption. It also provides for the registration and licensing of solicitors.
There is a distinction between civil and criminal law. A criminal act is something that is unlawful or has contravened the laws of the state. Civil law is litigation in which the state is the plaintiff and the defendant is the attorney. A civil proceeding involves an argument between the two attorneys, not involving the state. Some common examples of a civil case include suits for breach of contract, breach of trust, and negligent hiring.
A member of the legal profession is licensed or registered with the state’s supreme court. Each state establishes the rules of conduct for the legal profession and prescribes the qualifications of licensed lawyers. In the United States, the supreme court approves all appointments to the lower state courts and requires all lawyers in the country to take the required courses in order to practice in those courts. To become a member of a state’s bar association, a lawyer must be a member of the bar.
In some countries, solicitors are independent professionals who represent clients in court on their own behalf. These lawyers may appear before the courts themselves or may provide pro bono services to help people in need. Other countries, including India, have developed their own systems of professional law and allow lawyers to work only for themselves. These solicitors are called ‘business lawyers’ or ‘professional law practitioners’. In England and Wales, the solicitors are known as ‘clerk lawyers’, while in Scotland the highest court in England is known as the court of appeal.
Most solicitors work with either a corporate client or a limited liability company. Many have other specialties, including tax, real estate and international business law. When working with corporate clients, they will review the legal documents of a company. They will prepare and file paperwork for the company and help the company secure bank loans and other forms of capital. In addition to preparing legal documents, they will also negotiate with other companies to reduce the cost of settling lawsuits.
Barristers are independent lawyers who can practice in the courts, oversee companies and individuals, draft documents, give legal advice, and offer legal opinions. Barristers must pass examinations administered by the Bar Association to practice in the UK. The Bar Association’s regulatory body is responsible for the supervision of the activities of barristers and makes sure that they maintain a high level of competence. There are two types of Barristers: the barristers’ chambers and the public advocates.
