A couple of simple legal questions

[meglet]

I've just started a new job and I'm going to be dealing mainly with legal firms, of which I have very little experience. Can someone please answer me the following so I don't trip myself up?

Is a paralegal a legal secretary?

Why do some barristers get invited to become QCs and what is special about the job of of a QC / juniour counsel?

Mnay thanks

[Ethel]

A Queen's Counsel is a senior barrister who has been 'promoted' at the discretion of senior judges and other senior bodies.

A junior counsel is a trainee barrister.

A paralegal is not a secretary, but undertakes routine matters for a lawyer. He or she is usually legally qualified to a point - a Bachelor of Law, perhaps, who can adequately deal with conveyancing, will writing and so on without supervision, but would not typically have contact with the client.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/AB-Suggestions/ Question521458-2.html

[fredpuli47]

No LOL .A 'junior barrister 'is a barrister who has not 'taken silk' (become a Queen's Counsel) :) He or she might be of forty years' call ( forty years in practice ) and in their sixties but is still 'junior' counsel.

When you read of a QC and his or her 'junior' that is a reference to the fact that, in most cases (formerly all cases) in court a QC cannot appear alone. The QC is known as the 'leader' and they have to have an assistant, junior counsel at all times in court.That's their 'junior' So if you brief (hire) a QC you always end up with two counsel, the QC and the junior, in court. A QC is also known as a 'silk' because their gown is traditionally made of silk (in practice they usually wear one of some synthetic material, day to day).

Barristers who want to become Queen's Counsel apply to become one. The process by which they appointed is mysterious( though it's not giving any real secrets away to say that enquiries are made of judges and other counsel as to their professional reputation and also about the work they do and the extent and importance of their practice).

A practising QC (there are some who are eminent scholars who never practised) only does work of the highest calibre or gravity.

A trainee , apprentice barrister is called a pupil and the apprenticeship (of twelve months with an experienced barrister, their 'pupil master ') is called 'pupillage'. At the end of their pupillage they hope to become 'tenants' in a 'set of chambers' (offices), so they can practise.

[meglet]

That clears a few things up, many thanks to you both.

[MustafaTickl]

I have had to employ a large number of QC's (and, in fact, some KC's!) over many years for company work. A tip then, meglet, from hard experience. If your new company asks you to engage a QC when you interview him/her have a very good look at their shoes. If the heels are worn down and the shoes generally cracked and scruffy engage him/her. They need the money and can be spurred on to do a good job. If the shoes are new and well polished they have made enough and will be lazy and complacent.