This ones for tigilou

[epiboy]

You seem to know your stuff.

1. Would it be more plausible to make my lawyer character a partner with a firm?

2.If i now make him a solicitor would it be best to down grade the crime from murder or rape to say burglary? Solicitors don't represent clients in court for the worst crimes do they? Bear in mind he's representing the victim.

3. If i were to make him a barrister how would he get the case?

4. Would he be chosen by the solicitor or would the court select him? Does the client have any say?

5. Do the solicitor and barristor both take part in court procedings or is it just the barristor in the courtroom?

[tigilou]

Hi epiboy i am a secretary in crime so sort of yeah but i work in defence and notice you are wanting help on the prosecution side of things so il answer best i can

1) I dont think this really matters if they are partners or not they all do the same job just if hes a partner he will overlook and advise the other staff if needed.

2)burglary is a serious offence and more than likely a barrister would be instruced to do this solicitors cases that dont necesarilly need a barrister are thefts, shoplifting, driving matters criminal damage , public order act matters GBH and not serious assaults things like that a solicitor would represent the client now this is from the point of view of a defence solicitor, If it was a solicitor representing the victi its completly different as this is done by the Crown Prosecution Service who have there own solicitors and i dont know an awful lot about this - sorry

3) The solicitor would send a brief instructing the particular chambers to cover the case

4) as above and yes if the client has heard by word of mouth that a particular barrister is good then the solicitor would request they take on the case otherwise its left up to chambers who sorts out the cases but some have more dealings with drug importation, murders, rapes for example and would be given the case.

5) If we are talking Crown Court where both are in attendance the barrister would be representing the client and the solicitor would be taking notes most of the time though a clerk would be sent to go with counsel depending on the nature of the case and who has had conduct of the case