How does someone become a lawyer?

In some countries in order to practise as a lawyer it is necessary to get a university degree in law. However, in others, a degree may be insufficient; professional examinations must be passed. In Britain, it is not in fact necessary to have a degree, although nowadays most people entering the profession do. The main requirement is to pass the Bar Final examination (for barristers) or the Law Society Final examination (for solicitors). Someone with university degree in a subject other than law needs first to take a preparatory course. Someone without a degree at all may also prepare for the final examination, but this will take several years. In most countries, lawyers will tell you that the time they spent studying for their law finals was one of the worst periods of their life! This is because an enormous number of procedural rules covering a wide area of law must be memorized.

In Japan, where there are relatively few lawyers, the examinations are supposed to be particularly hard: less than 5 percent of candidates pass. Even after passing the examination, though, a lawyer is not necessarily qualified.

A solicitor in England, for example, must then spend two years as an articled clerk, during this time his work is closely supervised by an experienced lawyer, and he must take further courses. A barrister must spend a similar year as a pupil.

The rate at which the legal profession grows is terrific. In the 21^st century the number of lawyers will probably outpace the rate of population growth.

Why is the career in law so popular? In the USA the average salary of experienced lawyers in private practice is more than $100,000.

Lawyers’ salaries are substantially greater than those of many other professionals. The glamour of legal practice strengthens the attraction of its financial rewards.

The Bar Final examination — экзамен, который сдается при поступ­лении в Коллегию Адвокатов

the Law Society Final examination — экзамен, дающий право быть членом Общества юристов (профессионального союза солиситоров)

degree (n) — звание, степень,e.g. university degree

insufficient (adj) — недостаточный

pass (v) — зд. сдавать (экзамены)

requirement (n) — требование

take a course — пройти учебный курс

finals (n) — выпускные экзамены

articled clerk — клерк-стажер (без жалования)

supervise (v) — наблюдать (за кем-то), руководить (кем-то)

outpace (v) — опережать, превышать

salary (n) — заработная плата, получаемая ежемесячно

strengthen (v) — усиливать, укреплять

1. Circle a); b) or с) to complete the sentence.

1) The British lawyers are required……………….

a) to pass professional exams;

b) to work as a clerk for 5 years after graduating from a university;

c) wear black suits

2) The requirements for barristers and solicitors are………………

a) identical;

b) partially identical;

c) different

3) In Japan the professional law exams are……………….

a) difficult to pass;

b) not practised;

c) easy to pass

4) A barrister must work for a year as………………….

a) an articled clerk;

b) a pupil;

c) an attorney

5) The average salary of an experienced lawyer is………………...

a) very low;

b) ridiculous;

c) much higher than those of other professionals

2. Tick off the true statements according to the text.

1. The legal profession is extremely popular all over the world.

2. A future lawyer must pass various professional exams.

3. A solicitor in England must spend half a year as an articled clerk.

4. The final exam for barristers is called the Bar Final examination.

5. Japan has a large number of lawyers.

3. Choose the correct definition of the term “an articled clerk”:

a) an inexperienced lawyer;

b) a lawyer who failed his final exam;

c) a post which a solicitor in England has for two years after passing
Law Society Final exam.

4. Read the text again and find the English equivalents for the words and phrases below:

• стать юристом

• получить университетскую степень

• недостаточный

• сдавать экзамены

• пройти подготовительный курс

• основное требование

• выпускные экзамены в области юриспруденции

• пять процентов кандидатов

• за его работой наблюдают

• средняя заработная плата

• опережать рост населения

• усилить

• клерк-стажер

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