Разговорные темы

Тема 1. Solicitors and Barristers.

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There are two kinds of lawyers in Great Britain – solicitors and barristers.

Solicitors are lawyers who take legal business for ordinary people. They give advice to non-professional clients, write legal letters, prepare all the necessary documents and carry on legal arguments outside Court.

If you get into trouble with the police, you will probably ask a solicitor to help prepare your defense and you can ask the solicitor to appear for you in a Magistrates’ court and to argue your case. Many problems are dealt with by a solicitor. He deals with petty crimes and some matrimonial matters in Magistrates’ Courts. He prepares the case and the evidence. In the civil action he can speak in the County Court. If you want to make a will the best man to advise you is a solicitor.

In the County Court the solicitor wears a black gown over his ordinary clothes.

Barristers are different from solicitors. Barristers are experts in the interpretation of the law. They are called in to advise on really difficult points. Barristers conduct cases in the higher courts. In a trial a barrister may be counsel for the plaintiff (counsel for the prosecution) or counsel for the defendant (counsel for the defence).

To qualify as a barrister you must pass the special legal exams and become a member of a legal corporation called “Inn of Court”

Barristers are either “jurors” or “King’s (Queen’s) Councils.” When a barrister becomes “a Queen’s Council” (Q.C.), he “takes silk”. It means that he can wear a silk gown.

Тема 2. Judge

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The primary job of a judge is to protect each person’s constitutional right to a fair trial.

The judge presides over a trial. He puts questions to the parties and witnesses, examines the documents and evidence.

He must make sure that attorneys follow the rules of evidence and trial procedure. In nonjury trials the judge must decide the outcome of the case. In jury trials the judge gives instructions to the jury as to the law involved in the case. In criminal cases judges sentence those who are convicted of committing a crime.

These duties require an extensive knowledge of the law. Besides judges must express themselves clearly and directly.

To become a judge you first must be a practicing attorney with years of experience.

Many judges are appointed for life, others are approved by a political party and elected. Lifetime appointments can be more secure than elected positions, but even appointed judges can be removed from office for behavior unbecoming a judge.

Тема 3. Private Investigator

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A private investigator does many kinds of work similar to the police.

He may be asked to locate a missing person, collect information about possible fraud cases, gather evidence for court cases or investigate the background of individuals.

Private investigators often use such equipment as tape-recorders, cameras or binoculars. They may have to dust for fingerprints or to collect samples to send to a laboratory for analysis. Sometimes they have to travel to gather information and evidence. An important part of private investigators’ job is interviewing people and writing reports of their findings. If a case goes to court they may spend a lot of time testifying.

To get a job of a private investigator you must have a bachelor’s degree and some experience. Besides you should have an analytical mind, a good imagination and communication skills and some personal qualities such as honesty and determination.

Private investigators must have a license to do their work. They are paid privately and their salary depends on the type of work involved.