Glossary
ABS Alternative business structures were brought in by the Legal Services Act in October 2011 and are licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. ABSs enable lawyers to form partnerships with non- lawyers and allow companies to invest in law firms and provide legal services. See also ‘Tesco law’. ADR Alternative dispute resolution, which comprises various methods for resolving problems without going to court. Advocacy The act of arguing or pleading in favour of something either orally or in writing. A key skill for lawyers.
Bar Council Official body representing barristers in England and Wales. Bar Standards Board Independent board responsible for regulating barristers in England and Wales. Barrister A lawyer who has been called to the Bar and who appears in court to argue a client’s case. Beneficiary Person named in a will or insurance policy to receive money or property; person who receives benefits from a trust. Black-letter law The principles of law which are generally known and free from doubt or dispute. Board of directors The group of people elected by a corporation’s shareholders to make major business decisions for the company. Bolt-on A department (or even an entire smaller firm) that joins an existing firm. Generally, the larger firm will not have practised in the specialist area in which the newcomers excel. Bond A document through which one party promises to pay another within a specified amount of time. Boutique Small niche firm offering specialist advice on one or a few specific areas of law. BPTC The Bar Professional Training Course, the vocational stage between degree and pupillage. It replaced the BVC in September 2010. Brief Details of a client’s case, prepared by a solicitor and given to the barrister who argues it in court. Burden of proof The duty of a party in a case to convince the judge or jury that enough facts exist to prove the allegations in question.
Affidavit A written statement, the truth of which must be sworn before an officer of the court.
Annulment A legal decree stating that a marriage was never valid.
Appeal A request to a supervisory court, usually composed of a panel of judges, to overturn the legal ruling of a lower court. Arbitration A method of alternative dispute resolution whereby the disputing parties agree to submit their differences to the judgment of an impartial person or group. Articles of incorporation A document that must be filed in order for a company to incorporate. Among other things, it must include the name and address of the corporation, its general purpose, and the number and type of shares of stock to be issued.
Assistant/associate solicitor Next step on the career ladder after the two-year training period.
Associated office (Usually overseas) office with which a firm has an arrangement to share work and to second trainees. Bad faith Dishonesty or fraud in a transaction, such as entering into an agreement with no intention of honouring its terms. Bail The money that a defendant pays as a guarantee that he or she will show up in court at a later date.
BVC The Bar Vocational Course, which was replaced by the BPTC in September 2010.
Call to the Bar A formal ceremony following completion of the BPTC during which you are given the title of barrister (although you must complete pupillage before you can practise). Case law The law created by judges when deciding individual cases. Also known as ‘common law’.
Bankruptcy Another term for insolvency.
The Bar Term used to refer to the barristers’ branch of the legal profession.
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