Explanatory Statement The purpose of this survey is to provide statistical data supporting my Masters dissertation at The City Law School on solicitor advocates and changes within the structure of legal profession.
Informed Consent Form for Survey Participants
Working title of dissertation: How getting the higher rights of audience by solicitors changes the structure of the legal profession and affects legal services in England and Wales.
I agree to take part in the above City Law School research project. I have had the project explained to me, and I have read the Explanatory Statement which has been given to me. I understand that agreeing to take part means that I am willing to complete questionnaires asking me about my experiences with and views on solicitor advocates.
Data Protection
This information will be held and processed for the purpose of writing the dissertation only. I understand that any information I provide is confidential, and that no information that could lead to the identification of any individual will be disclosed in the dissertation or in any other report.
I agree to City University recording and processing this information about me. I understand that this information will be used only for the purpose set out in this statement and my consent is conditional on the University complying with its duties and obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.
I understand that my participation is voluntary, that I can choose not to participate, and that I can withdraw at any stage, or refuse to answer any questions put to me.
Name: ..........................................................................
Signature: .......................................................................…
Date: ..........................................................................
Solicitor Advocates Survey 2010
Trainees
1 At present, do you consider qualifying as a solicitor advocate?
a) yes
b) no
c) not sure
2 Why?
___
3 What do you think about the idea of awarding higher rights of audience to solicitors in general?
___
4 Do you think the grant of higher rights of audience to solicitors may attract students to choose the LPC over the BVC?
a) yes
b) no
c) not sure
5 Before taking your LPC, had you considered qualifying as barrister / taking the BVC?
a) yes
b) no
c) do not remember
6 If so, had the grant of higher rights of audience to solicitors influenced your choice of taking the LPC over the BVC?
a) yes
b) no
c) not sure
d) not applicable
7 Have you had any court-room experience with solicitor advocates?
a) yes
b) no
c) not sure
8 If so, on the 1-10 scale (1= ..., 10= ...) how would you rate their performance?
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]
9 Do you think solicitor advocates are well trained for the role in general?
a) yes
b) no
c) not sure
10 What could be improved in their training?
___
11 As to advocates’ training and discipline, you think it should:
a) stay with the Solicitors Regulation Authority as it is now
b) stay with the Solicitors Regulation Authority but it should be improved
c) be taken over by the Bar Council
d) be taken over by another organisation: ___
e) no opinion
f) other: ___
12 What do you think the future of the legal profession is going to be in, say, 30 years?
a) one united legal profession, like in most other countries
b) division, into solicitors and barristers, as it is now
c) division into solicitors, solicitor advocates and barristers
d) division into solicitors and advocates
e) other: ___
13 Where are you doing your training contract?
a) private practice
b) commerce/industry
c) local government
d) CPS
e) other: ___
14 If you are in private practice, what is the size of your firm?
a) sole practice
b) 2-4 partners
c) 5-10 partners
d) 11-25 partners
e) 26-80 partners
f) 81 or more partners
15 What is your firm/company’s location?
a) City of London
b) rest of London
c) Greater London
d) outside of London
16 Could you please state:
a) your age: ___
b) your gender: ___
c) your academic background (LLB, non-law +GDL, other): ___
17 Is there anything you would like to add (possibly not covered by this survey)?
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. If you have any queries about this research, please contact me at Alice.Zaremba.1@city.ac.uk.
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Junior Lawyers Division Professional Careers and Coaching Services Questionnaire
QUESTION
YES
NO
Have you heard of or come across any of these websites?
http://www.oxbridgetrainingcontracts.com/
http://getatrainingcontract.com/default.aspx
http://www.trainingcontractsuccess.co.uk/
Are you aware of any other organisations offering similar services? If yes, please can you provide details.
Would you consider paying for professional career services and coaching to help you obtain a training contract?
If yes to the above, how much (on average) would you be willing to pay for this service?
Do you think it is acceptable that there is a charge for these services (e.g. CV help, interview assistance and completion of application forms)?
Do you have any additional comments?
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
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If you don’t mind us contacting you in relation to your answers above then please provide your details below:
Name: ________________________________________________
Job title: ________________________________________________
Email address: ________________________________________________
Please return your completed questionnaire to Nicole Baygan - NNB@heaneywatson.com
The JLD would like to than you for taking time to complete this mini survey. Your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence.