The Big Chambers Student Law Quiz - Answers

The festive season is upon us again, and we've put together a brand new quiz for you to have a crack(er) at. This time, we've gone for a distinctly legal theme, focusing on some of the key terms you'll need to get to grips with for a career in law. So, this year, you can sit back, relax, and brush up on your legal knowledge all at the same time...

Each of the following is a key legal term you'll likely come across at some point as part of a career in the legal sector. But which is the correct definition?

1. Adjudication

A) Making a court appearance for another firm that can’t get to court.

B) An out of court settlement between two parties.

C) The legal process by which a judge or impartial third party reviews evidence to come to a decision.

2. Arbitration

A) A type of dispute resolution where the parties agree to abide by the decision made by a panel.

B) The US term for competition law.

C) Also called ‘no win no fee’; an arrangement whereby a solicitor acting in a claim agrees only to be paid a fee if they win the case; such payment is usually made by the losing party.

3. Boutique

A) A firm (usually a small firm but there can be exceptions) which works only on one area of law.

B) A firm with a headcount of less than 100 practising lawyers.

C) A group of law firms or lawyers chosen for regular consultation by a certain business.

4. Bundling

A) The instructing documents given to a barrister when they are instructed by a solicitor.

B) Compiling documents for a court case.

C) Recording the number of hours lawyers are working for a client.

5. Damages

A) The money insurance companies pay out for successful claims.

B) The difference between the amount of money a person claims, and their solicitor's fees.

C) A sum of money which one person or organisation has to pay to another for not performing a certain duty.

6. Disclosure

A) The thorough investigation of a target company in a deal.

B) Making relevant documentation available to the other parties in a dispute.

C) Dealing with the more administrative side of deal documentation.

7. Due diligence

A) The thorough investigation of a target company in a deal.

B) Making relevant documentation available to the other parties in a dispute.

C) Dealing with the more administrative side of deal documentation.

8. Fee earner

A) A lawyer or a paralegal who bills time to a firm’s clients. The term doesn't include lawyers who act in a more supportive role.

B) A solicitor or barrister who is employed by a company or public body rather than a law firm or barristers’ chambers.

C) A partner who receives a contractually agreed share of the firm’s annual profits. A part owner of the firm. The other type of partner is a salaried partner.

9. In-house lawyer

A) A lawyer or a paralegal who bills time to a firm’s clients. The term doesn't include lawyers who act in a more supportive role.

B) A solicitor or barrister who is employed by a company or public body rather than a law firm or barristers’ chambers.

C) A partner who receives a contractually agreed share of the firm’s annual profits. A part owner of the firm. The other type of partner is a salaried partner.

10. Judicial review

A) A court order requiring a party to do, or to refrain from doing, certain acts.

B) The legal process by which the actions of the government or public bodies can be challenged.

C) A government-funded system which pays for legal representation in criminal and some civil cases for individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford it.

11. Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

A) A way of creating 'public-private partnerships' (PPPs) by funding public infrastructure projects with private capital.

B) A company listed on a stock exchange.

C) A way of structuring a professional partnership such that no partner is liable to any of the firm’s creditors above and beyond a certain sum.

12. Moot

A) A type of dispute resolution where a dispute is resolved with the help of a neutral third party.

B) A method of settling disputes through legal proceedings in court.

C) A mock trial used to train or test advocacy skills.

13. Paralegal

A) A non-lawyer, often with some legal training, who assists qualified lawyers on legal matters.

B) A newly qualified solicitor.

C) A barrister.

14. Power of Attorney

A) The legal authority to act on someone else’s behalf.

B) The right of a lawyer (either a solicitor or barrister) to appear and conduct proceedings in court.

C) The right to outsource work to another organisation, usually in a part of the UK where overheads and salary costs are lower.

15. Pro bono

A) The principle that self-employed barristers cannot refuse instructions if they have the time and experience to undertake the case. You cannot refuse to represent someone because you find their opinions or actions objectionable.

B) (Paid) work done by a junior member of a barrister's chambers for a more senior member.

C) Legal work done without payment as a public service.

16. Secondment

A) Encouraging people to work in a specific field rather than being generalists; teams working very independently of others within a firm.

B) The practice of ‘lending’ trainees and qualified solicitors to a firm’s client to work in their in-house legal department for a certain period.

C) Time spent by a trainee working in a department, usually four or six months.

17. SRA

A) Solicitor's Registry Amendment

B) Solicitor's Right of Amnesty

C) Solicitor's Regulation Authority

18. Silo-ing

A) Encouraging people to work in a specific field rather than being generalists; teams working very independently of others within a firm.

B) The practice of ‘lending’ trainees and qualified solicitors to a firm’s client to work in their in-house legal department for a certain period.

C) Time spent by a trainee working in a department, usually four or six months.

19. Counsel

A) A solicitor

B) A senior partner