Interpret law

Interpret the law during the investigation of a case in order to know the correct procedures in handling the case, the specific status of the case and the parties involved, the possible outcomes, and how to present the best arguments for the most favourable outcome.

interpret regulations
understand statutes
understand decrees
interpret statutes
interpret decrees
understand regulations
interpret legislation
understand legislation

skill/competence

cross-sector

Interpret law is an essential skill of the following occupations:

Judge: Judges preside over, review and handle court cases, hearings, appeals and trials. They ensure that court procedures conform to conventional legal processes and review evidence and juries. Judges preside over cases involving such areas as crime, family issues, civil law, small claims and juvenile offenses.
Legal consultant: Legal consultants advise a varied array of clients ranging from business, individuals, up to legal firms. They provide legal advisory outside courtrooms in relation to legal affairs which depend on the nature of the client. They advise in matters such as merging of multinationals, housing purchase, modification of contracts and its implications. They help clients in general to abide by the regulations and avoid committing illegal acts.
Supreme court judge: Supreme court judges preside in high courts, dealing with complex criminal and civil cases. They examine the case during trials in order to formulate a sentence or to direct a jury in reaching a conclusion, and decide on any punishments if an offending party is found guilty. They rule proceedings and ensure the trial is held in a fair manner compliant with legislation.
Mediator:
Mediators resolve disputes between two parties by examining the case, interviewing both parties, and advising on a solution which would be the most beneficial for them. They listen to both parties in order to facilitate communication and find a fair agreement and organise meetings. They aim at resolving disputes through dialogue and alternative solution without having to take the case to litigation and courts. Mediators ensure that the resolution is compliant with legal regulations and is also enforced.
Lawyer: Lawyers provide legal advice to clients and act on their behalf in legal proceedings and in compliance with the law. They research for, interpret and study cases to represent their clients in a variety of settings such as courts and administrative boards. They create arguments on behalf of their clients for lawsuits in different contexts with the aim of finding a legal remedy.
Financial fraud examiner: Financial fraud examiners undertake anti-fraud investigations including financial statement irregularities, securities fraud and market abuse detection. They manage fraud risk assessments and prepare forensic reports including the analysis and verification of evidence. Financial fraud examiners liaise with regulatory bodies.
Prosecutor: Prosecutors represent governmental bodies and the general public in court cases against parties accused of illegal activity. They investigate the court cases by examining evidence, interviewing involved parties, and interpreting the law. They use the results of their investigation in order to present the case during court hearings, and to construct persuasive arguments in order to ensure the outcome is the most favourable for the parties they represent.
Law lecturer: Law lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, law, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants
for the preparation of lectures and of exams, for grading papers and exams and for leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their respective field of law, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
Notary: Notaries ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of official documents such as declarations, certificates, contracts, deeds and purchases. They examine the documents, witness the signing and authenticate them. They administer oaths and affirmations and perform other acts of notarisation.
Justice of the peace: Justices of the peace deal with small claims and disputes, and minor offences. They ensure the keeping of the peace within their jurisdiction, and provide mediation between disputing parties.
Corporate lawyer: Corporate lawyers provide legal consulting services and representation to corporations and organisations. They give advice on matters relating to taxes, legal rights and patents, international trade, trademarks, and legal financial issues arising from operating a business.

Interpret law is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this skill may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Lawyer linguist: Lawyer linguists interpret and translate legal pieces from one language to another. They provide legal analysis to the information before them and help in understanding technicalities of the content expressed in other languages.
Intellectual property consultant: Intellectual property consultants provide advice on the usage of intellectual property assests such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks. They help clients to value, in monetary terms, intellectual property portfolios, to follow adequate legal procedures for protecting of such property, and to perform patent brokerage activities.
Court jury coordinator: Court jury coordinators aid lawyers in the preparation of the trial by researching jury members. They aid in the development of trial strategies, analyse the jury’s behaviour during a trial, and advise lawyers on proceedings. They also assist in preparing witnesses and constructing arguments.
Insurance fraud investigator: Insurance fraud investigators combat fraudulent activities by investigating the circumstances of certain suspicious claims, activities related to new customers, buying insurance products and premium calculations. Insurance fraud investigators refer potential fraud claims to insurance investigators who then undertake research and investigations to support or deny a claimant’s case.
Case administrator: Case administrators supervise the progress of criminal and civil cases from the point of opening to closing. They review the case files and case progression to ensure proceedings occur compliant with legislation. They also ensure the proceedings occur in a timely manner and that everything has been concluded before closing cases.

References

1. Interpret law – ESCO