FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

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General

• Can a solicitor advocate offer pupillage to a trainee barrister?

• Now that I have acquired my higher rights do I have to undertake any further training in advocacy?

• When settling a court order am I solicitor, solicitor advocate (which is something of a mouthful) or counsel?

• Is there any guidance or rule relating to Solicitor Advocates charging a fixed brief fee rather than a conventional hourly rate x time basis for advocacy?

• Can a solicitor advocate instruct a QC directly?

• Can a solicitor advocate be instructed by another firm of solicitors to prepare an opinion in his area of expertise and to act as advocate?

Membership of SAHCA

• I am in the process of acquiring my higher rights via the development route. Do I have to qualify before I can join the Association?

Becoming a solicitor advocate

• The Law Society does not state in its published guidance the minimum experience necessary to acquire higher rights via the exemption route. Can you give me some guidance on how many examples of Crown Court advocacy the Law Society will expect to see in my application for higher rights under the exemption route?

• I am a trainee solicitor and have already started my portfolio and my supervisor/mentor has arranged for me to attend some upcoming trials with counsel to start to get to grips with practical advocacy. Whilst I expect to be able to conduct of at least one County Court trial on qualification, do Employment Tribunals/hearing in Chambers satisfy the requirement to conduct one's own advocacy?