Thanks rkay, that was understandable, interesting and succinct. But, as said above, I am still curious as to how that compares with the US situation. Does an attorney take the solicitor role or the barrister role or both? I think that would go some way to answer rav's query too. I believe wwh is right in what he says, but suspect there are more complications! Another thing that isn't clear to me is how Judges are appointed in the US. I have some idea how this is done in the UK and am not impressed with the process or the results of it (realising that that statement is a gross generalisation - we have had some impressive Judges. There was that chap Jeffries for instance).