Glossary
Non-contentious Legal situation where there’s no dispute. Notary An official authorised to certify, for example, deeds, contracts or copies of documents. No win, no fee An agreement whereby a solicitor acting in a claim is entitled to be paid their fee only if they win. Such payment is usually made by the loser or their insurance company. Also known as a ‘conditional fee’. Paralegal A non-lawyer who does legal work that often resembles that of a solicitor. Partnership An association of two or more people who agree to share in the profits and losses of a business venture. Patent A document issued to an inventor, detailing ownership, rights and the nature of the invention. Period of recognised training Introduced in 2014 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to replace the term ‘training contract’, it refers to the two-year pre- qualification training period for a solicitor, normally spent in a law firm. With the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination this will now be referred to as ‘qualifying work experience’, although the training contract looks set to remain a popular phrase. See also ‘QWE’.
Profits per partner A firm’s total profit divided by the number of partners at the firm. PSC Professional Skills Course, which, as part of the LPC route, must be passed while training to qualify as a solicitor. If you’re qualifying via the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, you no longer need to take this course. Punitive damages Money awarded to a victim that’s intended to punish a defendant and stop the person or business from repeating the type of conduct that caused the injury in question. Pupil barrister A trainee barrister who’s effectively practising but isn’t yet fully qualified. Also known as a ‘pupil’. Pupillage The training period before qualifying as a barrister.
Pupil supervisor A barrister who oversees an individual’s training during pupillage.
QC Queen’s Counsel (QC), a barrister who has been appointed counsel to Her Majesty on the advice of the lord chancellor. Also known as a ‘silk’. Qualifying sessions Run by the four Inns of Court, students must complete 12 qualifying sessions before they can be called to the Bar. Sessions can include dinners, workshops, moots and residential weekends. Formerly called ‘dining’. QWE Qualifying work experience (QWE) is the work experience aspect introduced alongside the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. All aspiring solicitors must complete two years’ QWE, which can be built up in up to four organisations. Many firms will continue to use the traditional training contract to train their future lawyers. Receivership The appointment by a court of a receiver to take custody of the property, business, rents and profits of a party to a lawsuit pending a final decision. Salaried partner Unlike an equity partner, a salaried partner is still an employee of a firm, although with enhanced status, influence and responsibilities. Seats Periods of training during a training contract. Normally six months long each.
Perjury The crime of knowingly making a false statement while under oath in court.
Piercing the corporate veil The concept through which a corporation’s shareholders, who are usually protected from liability for the corporation’s activities, may be held responsible for certain actions.
Pleadings The allegations by each party of its claims and defences.
Power of attorney The authority to act legally for another person. Precedent A previously decided case that’s considered binding in the court where it was issued and in all lower courts in the same jurisdiction. Prima facie Latin for ‘at first sight’, meaning that a matter appears to be self-evident on first examination.
Pro bono The giving of free legal advice and services.
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