5. Legal Practitioners and the Developing Professional Context
5. Legal Practitioners and the Developing Professional Context
- Susan BlakeSusan BlakeDirector of Studies and Associate Dean, Inns of Court School of Law
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of the roles that different types of legal practitioners traditionally take in the litigation process. In England and Wales, it remains the norm that a client will initially approach a solicitor, who may then brief a barrister to provide specialist advice, to carry out key functions such as drafting statements of case, and to appear in court if litigation proceeds. The chapter goes on to discuss the main provisions in the codes of conduct that are relevant to litigation; professional privilege and confidentiality; professional negligence; options for clients dissatisfied with the standard of work done by a lawyer; the use of alternative business structures (ABS) for the delivery of legal services; and the regulation of an ABS.
