Paralegal – someone who supports lawyers in their work. Often paralegals have a law degree but do not have a practicing qualification.

Partner – members of a firm who equally share ownership and liability.

Partnership – two or more people working in business together.

Patent attorney/agent – a lawyer regulated by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board.

Personal representatives (PRs) – Executors or administrators. If there is more than one personal representative, they must work together to decide matters between them. Disagreements between personal representatives can cause expensive delays.

Practising certificate (PC) – a document issued to solicitors by the SRA which allows a solicitor to carry out certain legal work such as advocacy, litigation, probate and conveyancing. The SRA can impose conditions on a practising certificate, restricting the types of work that solicitors can do, and in what circumstances.

Prima facie – Latin term used to describe something that appears on the face of it to be true.

Pro bono – Latin term for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee. Find out more on the Law Society”s pro bono pages.

Probate – a legal permission provided by a Probate Registry for someone to deal with someone else”s estate after they die. A Probate Registry is an office where someone can be interviewed in order to be provided with a probate permission. To find your nearest registry or for more information, visit GOV.UK.

Public interest – the overall welfare of the general public.