THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2

INTRODUCTION 6

THE LEGAL SYSTEM

1 Legal systems 8

A The structure of the law

B The constitution

C Jurisdiction

2 Sources of law: legislation 10

A Background to making new law

B Early development of a Bill

C Passing an Act

3 Sources of law:common law 12

A Common law in the UK

B Law reports

4 The court system 14

A Civil courts

B Criminal courts

5 Criminal justice and criminal proceedings 16

A Criminal justice

B Categories of criminal offence

C Criminal court proceedings

6 Civil procedure 18

A Civil Procedure Rules

B Proceeding with a claim

7 Tribunals 20

A The status and range of tribunals

B Composition of tribunals and procedure

8 European Union law 22

A What is the EU?

B How does the EU impact on Member States?

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

9 Solicitors 24

A Legal practitioners

B Training

C A partner in a law fifi rm

10 Barristers 26

A Organisation

B Training and qualififi cations of practising barristers

11 Working lives 28

A A company commercial lawyer

B A legal secretary

12 Judges 30

A Judicial appointments in England and Wales

B The training of judges

C Civil courts: sentencing and court orders

13 A law fifi rm��s structure and practice 32

A A law fifi rm��s structure and practice

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS IN PRACTICE

14 Client care procedures 34

A Explaining client care procedures

15 Money laundering procedures 36

A Money laundering procedures

16 Client correspondence 38

A Client correspondence

B Standard phrases for starting and ending letters and emails

17 Explanations and clarififi cation 40

A Explaining a procedure

B Approximating and comparing

C Rephrasing and clarifying

18 Legalese 42

A Legal language

B Latin terms

C Older words and modern equivalents

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