solictiors exam
shantanu dekhane
(Querist) 09 February 2010
This query is : Resolved
How become solocitor after passing LLB Exam What kind of exam we need to give.
Raj Kumar Makkad
(Expert) 09 February 2010
The Bombay Incorporated Law Society continues to conduct an examination for those who want to qualify as solicitors. The examination is very difficult. No one can style himself as a solicitor unless he has passed this examination and been admitted to the Law Society as a solicitor.
OF GREEN PAPER, RED TAPE AND GOLD MOHURS
The dual system is charmingly quirky in many ways. Briefs are delivered wrapped in green paper, tied with a red string and folded lengthwise down the middle. Counsel continue to mark their fees in ‘guineas’ or gold mohurs (Gms), another legacy of the Raj. The exchange rate of the guinea still is Rs.15 to the guinea. There is no proposal to float the guinea since it has always been freely convertible at a fixed rate. The rate is not an issue either. Counsel just mark more guineas.
Abolished in the late-seventies (though proposed since the 1930’s or 1940’s), the ‘dual’ system, as it was called, drew a distinction between two types of Original Side practice. Counsel appeared in courts, drafted pleadings, researched law and gave advice in conference. They were briefed to do so by Solicitors or Attorneys. Counsel were roughly equivalent to barristers in England.
After Independence, the system continued to be followed in Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and, to some extent, in Delhi. Typically, Attorneys work in firms, though many are sole proprietorships. They interface with clients, whereas counsel do not. Also, attorneys file their appearance (or vakalatnamas) in court and it is their name or their firm’s name that shows up on the daily cause lists.
While the dual system was in vogue, attorneys or solicitors were not permitted to address the court. They had to brief counsel. After the abolition of the dual system, attorneys can — and do — appear in court themselves. In theory abolished, the system continues in a reduced fashion even today, being widely regarded as a reasonably efficient division of labour.
