M2-2.1 Practise reading
Instructions
1. Read the full transcript of the Study Legal English Podcast called ‘Legal Profession – A typical day’ which includes all the parts you have studied in this module. Or alternatively read the relevant extract below.
2. Check you understand key vocabulary and phrases by reading the vocabulary list.
3. Answer the questions to check your understanding.
Relevant podcast transcript extract
MONOLOGUE 1
SPEAKER 1: I work in a law firm and I would say that my role is essential for the efficiency of the firm.
My typical workload includes preparing a lot of legal documents including contracts, pleadings, court documents and shareholder agreements.
Sometimes I carry out research on different areas of law for a particular case, and one of the things I love doing is interviewing witnesses to a case.
One thing I can’t do is practise law. For example, I can’t take on my own clients, I couldn’t open my own law practice, and I can’t represent clients in court or give clients legal advice. This would be the major difference between my job and that of a solicitor.
Another difference between my job and a solicitor is that solicitors undertake more training and it is a regulated profession whereas mine isn’t. Although it is not officially necessary to have a specific legal qualification to do my job I did actually graduate from university with a law degree. It was really difficult to get a training contract so I ended up applying for my job and was successful obviously. I think it helps that I have a law degree, and nowadays a lot of firms favour candidates with some sort of legal qualifications.
Maybe one day I’ll qualify as a solicitor through the equivalent means route. It’s something I would like to do because even though I do a lot of the same work as a solicitor I don’t get paid anywhere near as much money.
MONOLOGUE 2
SPEAKER 2: After my law degree I wanted to find an alternative way of becoming a lawyer where I could study at home and ‘on the job’. I didn’t have time for the Legal Practice Course or the Training Contract because I had a young daughter.
I can’t say my route was easy, but it was flexible. I studied at my own pace for the Professional Diploma in Law and the Professional Higher Diploma in Law. I also had to work for five years under the supervision of a solicitor. Some of my friends with the same job as me gained work experience with chartered legal executives, barristers, or licensed conveyancers.
Now that I’m qualified I can practise law and I’m regulated just like solicitors. There are around 20,000 other people with my job in the U.K. and we have lots of work options. In my case, I was lucky that the firm I was working for kept me on after I qualified and in the future I hope to progress to become a partner. Other options could be to start my own practice or even become a judge. The world’s my oyster!
MONOLOGUE 3
SPEAKER 3: In my job I have to know everything about the barristers’ professional lives and occasionally even the personal stuff too. I started my job basically acting as an assistant to the more senior staff in the chambers. Back then my work involved everything from collecting and delivering legal documents, ordering stationery, buying sandwiches, paying the barrister’s personal bills and rushing the gown, wig and even the brief to court if the barrister ever forgot them!
After many years I got more responsibility, for example going to listing meetings where I had to make sure that the case hearings were set on dates when the barristers were free. It sounds simple but it can be pretty complicated especially when you imagine there are lots of other people who also need to be free on those dates as well. Later I got even more responsibility managing the barrister’s time through diary management, maintaining and filing briefs and even agreeing and negotiating brief fees.
My job is so interesting and the relationship I have with the barristers I work for is very unique. It can be hard work, but it’s always rewarding.
MONOLOGUE 4
SPEAKER 4: I chose my job instead of a barrister because I love interacting with people and my job has far more client interaction than barristers. Even as a trainee I was surprised to have at least twenty of my own clients. I was under supervision of course at that time. And it’s just the best thing when you get a direct ‘thank you’ from a client. It really makes you feel valued.
Nowadays, I specialise in corporate law and I love getting out of the office for client meetings. My work is varied – I deal with corporate compliance, litigation, contracts. Often I feel a bit like a business consultant simply helping clients figure out how they can make their company work in the best way possible. Common sense, business sense and the ability to make good decisions are essential for my work.
With litigation I take initial instructions from clients, then I do research and assemble a case, getting as much information as possible before instructing the barrister who will present the case in court. Even though I could do advocacy in court with further training I really prefer to spend my time in the office or with clients.
MONOLOGUE 5
My typical day depends on whether I’m in court or not. If I’m not in court, I commute into central London and go to work at my chambers. On my commute I catch up with the latest news to make sure I’m up-to-date with current affairs. This can be important as sometimes things come up in a case and it’s important that I’m informed and up-to-date with everything.
When I arrive at chambers I check my pigeonhole for any post and then talk with my clerk about impending cases. I’ll spend the day preparing for cases and doing admin. For example, I write pleadings, opinions, skeleton arguments, and I do research. I try to schedule my client conferences at lunchtime, where we meet to discuss any final instructions, and I advise them on things like the hearing procedure and case merits. Although normally I’m informed about a case a few days in advance, sometimes it can be very last minute and so it’s not unusual to work on case preparation until very late.
If there is a case on, I go to court for the hearing which normally lasts a few hours. The type of case and hearing can vary greatly but I mostly work in the Magistrates’ Court. I can deal with anything from road traffic accidents to drug offences and thefts. My main job is always to present my client in the best possible light and to make sure that I am well prepared and can communicate the arguments effectively in court.
Sometimes work is hectic and frustrating. For example, even up to the last minute evidence can be served and then if a defendant or witness doesn’t show up at the hearing it can be adjourned. However, from a young age I always imagined standing up in court and arguing cases. It’s the thing I love most about my job.