Editing Lawyer (section)

===Research and drafting of court papers===
Often, lawyers brief a court in writing on the issues in a case before the issues can be orally argued. They may have to perform extensive research into relevant facts. Also, they draft legal papers and prepare for an oral argument.

In split common law jurisdictions, the usual division of labor is that a [[solicitor]] will obtain the facts of the case from the client and then brief a barrister, usually in writing.<ref>Fiona Boyle, Several Capps, Philip Plowden, Clare Sandford, ''A Practical Guide to Lawyering Skills'', 3rd ed. (London: Cavendish Publishing, 2005), 47–50.</ref> The barrister then researches and drafts the necessary court pleadings, which will be filed and served by the solicitor, and orally argues the case.<ref>See Abel, ''England and Wales'', 56 and 141.</ref>

In Spanish civil law, the procurator merely signs and presents the papers to the court, but it is the advocate who drafts the papers and argues the case.<ref>Jene, 369.</ref> In other civil law jurisdictions, like Japan, a [[scrivener]] or clerk may fill out court forms and draft simple papers for laypersons who cannot afford or do not need attorneys, and advise them on how to manage and argue their own cases.<ref name="Rokumoto, 164">Rokumoto, 164.</ref>