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attorneys, and were the forerunners of today’s solicitor. Over the centuries
a division grew up between the attorneys and court pleaders, or barristers.
The profession was largely unregulated until the beginning of the
19th century when the Law Society was founded. It was granted a Royal
Charter in 1845, which empowered it to enforce national standards of
conduct and education. About the same time the term “attorney” was
dropped in favour of the title “solicitor”. The duties of the Law Society
have been extended by various Acts of Parliament since then.
The Council of the Law Society is its governing body and has the
power to regulate the profession. The 75 members of the Council are
elected from the profession by constituency or appointment by specialism.

1. The writer says that… 3. A Royal Charter was granted to
a) he language of the courts was empower the Law Society…
English. a) to separate national
b) official language of the courts standards of conduct and education.
was French. b) to ignore national standards
c) people speak Norman French in of conduct and education.
the courts. c) to enforce national
standards of conduct and education.
2. The clients’ 4. The duties of the Law Society
representatives were… have been …
a) forerunners of a translator. a) broaden by various Acts of
b) forerunners of today’s solicitor. Parliament
c) forerunners of today’s b) restricted by various Acts of
investigator. Parliament
c) cancelled by various Acts
of Parliament
Task 9. Read the text and make comments on it.

Regulation
All solicitors must be on the Roll. A register of all persons qualified
as solicitors. The Law Society governs admission to the Roll, which is
entry to the profession, ensuring that all new solicitors are fit and proper
persons and have undergone the necessary training. All solicitors wishing
to practice as such must obtain a practicing certificate annually from the
Law Society. The Law Society publishes a “Guide to the Professional

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