Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-09-18
ENGLISH LAWYERS.
The Small Fees That Are Received by the
 London Barristers.


 baryisters fees are small, and they are always paid in advance, and the sum is recorded under the title of the brief. A friend who has large practice showed me his feebook yesterday. The largest item was 38 guineas, which is less than g20O. The average was about $50. Fees are regulated by the benchers of the inn according to the service per formed, and no contingent fees are al lowed. A barrister may accept a case for nothing or return the fee i'll eases or charity, but he cannot without yiolat- ing his oath, directly or indirectly, ac- cept any greater compensation for legal service than is allowed ill the regular schedule fixed by the benchers of his inn. If he does so, he is dobarred from practice.
 It is a common custom in America for 8 lawyer to undertake suit for the recovery of damages or 8 claim of any kind with a contract that he shall re- eeiYe a certain percentage of the amount of money recovered. In England such all act would be considered disreputa- ble, and any barrister found guilty would be expelled from his inn. The fees are regulated by the amount of time and labor required, and not by tho amount of money involved. A barrister may receive fee of $250 ill case in- yolying only $500, and he may receive q fee of $25 in ease involving $l, ,000,- 000
 All legal business originates with so- licitors They bring to the barrister's s office a case all prepared after certain forms and written in manuscript The British courts do not permit typewrit- ing. The solicitor requests the barrister to undertake the case, and the fee is marked plainly upon the brief, If the barrister does not care to undertake the labor for the amount of money allowed or for any other reason he advises the solicitor to go elsewhere. If he accepts the responsibility the solicitor leaves the amount of the fee in coin with the brief, so that the barrister has his pay in advance. This is the almost invaria- ble custom. The only exceptions are in cases of close friendship between the solicitors and barristers and where there is a large amount of litigation in which both are involved. Then it is customary for the barrister to make IT his bill at the end of the month or tho end of the quarter, but the fee in eaeh case must nevertheless be written upon the brief and recorded in the books of the court.
 It is customary, also, for the solicitor to leave fee for the barrister's clerk at the same time, which must be a cer- tain percentage of that paid to the bar rister When you dine at hotel or a restaurant in England, it is customary to tip the waiter an amount equal to per cent of your bill for the same req son. The ! ter receives no compensa. ton from Ills employer, nor does the barrister's clerk. His pay comes entire ly from the clients, and if his pTinci- pal has no clients he gets no pay. On the other hand, if his principal has a very large and profitable practice his fees are enormous. They say that the clerk of Sir Charles Russell lives in a handsome villa down in the suburbs, is driven to and from his office in a brough- am and hires box at the opera for the season. Chicago Record.