solicitor and barrister jargon buster please

[epiboy]

I'm researching legal procedures for a script i am planning on writing and would like questions to the following:

1. Does a solicitor need to be involved with a barrister bearing in mind the crime is going to be murder or rape?

2. Will the trial be taken straight to the high court or go through the magistrates?

3. Can a barrister be 'self employed' or is he part of a partnership?

4. How experienced does a barrister have to be to be given a rape trial?

5. Can a solicitor represent the victim of a serious crime like rape?

[tigilou]

Hi epiboy il answer your questions best i can

1) Yes solicitor prepares the case and hands all evidence facts over to the barrister doesnt matter what the case is. Solicitor will ask Barrister for advice on certain things and Barrister will advise the solicitor what to do for example the person is a bit mad Barrister says we need a medical report, Solicitor gets one sends it to Barrister he considers it useful for the case or not. If Counsel need anything at court they will revert to solicitor

2) It will go to Magistrates court first mainly for administration purposes and then to the Crown/High Court

3) Normally partnership dont know any who are self employed but its possible

4) If hes a junior Barrister just qualified he/she will be helped by a more senior counsel, but as it would be a serious crime it will be a senior barrister

5) Yes they can but in our pactice something this serious would be dealt with by a barrister normally Magistrates trials are dealt with in house

[Hgrove]

(3) Barristers are self-employed, working from a "tenancy" in "chambers". Chambers are not partnerships.