How it works
What is a direct access barrister?
A direct access barrister, who can also be called a public access barrister, is a legal professional who is authorised to provide legal services directly to members of the public without the need for a solicitor to act as an intermediary.
Direct access barristers can provide a range of legal services, including drafting legal documents, advising clients on the law, representing clients in court or tribunal hearings, and providing advocacy services. This approach can offer clients more control over their legal matters and potentially reduce costs by cutting out the need for a solicitor's involvement.
However, not all cases are suitable for direct access representation, particularly those requiring ongoing client care, complex litigation, or where significant legal expertise is needed beyond advocacy. In such cases, clients may still need to engage solicitors to manage their overall legal strategy and provide ongoing support.
Once you have completed and submitted our contact form, it will be reviewed by one of our experienced practice managers, in the area your case falls into. They will then identify the best Direct Access Barrister, suited to you and your case. Please try to provide as much detail as possible when completing the form, as this will aid our clerks with matching you to one of our barristers.
Once one of our specially trained practice managers have reviewed your case, they will contact you to confirm whether your case is suitable to be undertaken on a direct access basis.
At this stage, the practice managers may feel it appropriate for you to speak to one of our barristers to find out more about your case and discuss the best options for working with you. You will not be charged for this initial conversation.
Following this conversation, it is possible our barristers may feel your case is unsuitable for direct access and we may suggest you contact a solicitor before instructing a barrister. If you would like our help selecting a solicitor who fits your case and budget, we would be more than happy to assist.
If we can take on your case, our practice managers will explain the process to you and recommend one or more barristers for you to review who would be suitable to assist with your case. They will outline the estimated costs and timeframes associated, which will be formally set out in your client care letter.
Once we have obtained all the relevant information from you and you have decided on a barrister to represent you, you will be sent a ‘client care letter’. Your client care letter acts as a contract between you and your barrister.
The letter will contain the agreed fee, turn around time for any written work and our barristers’ availability to attend any court hearings or meetings. All fees must be paid in full before our direct access barrister is permitted to start any work. Payment can be made via bank transfer or over the phone using a credit/debit card.
Costs can vary depending on several factors, for example the seniority of the barrister you want to instruct, the complexity of your case and the amount of time it will take the barrister to complete the work. The fee you pay can be either a fixed fee or an hourly rate with an agreed upon limit. The letter contains all the information you need to make payment, cancellation fees and refunds. It also outlines what happens if any additional work is required and how the fees will work in this instance.
Once you have reviewed your client care letter and made payment, it is now time to instruct your direct access barrister. Our direct access barristers are friendly and approachable people, and ultimately want the best outcome for you and your case.
Our barristers will do their best to manage your case and respond to you promptly. However, as you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of your case (not the barrister) it is unlikely that a high level of communication will be required.
Our practice managers will keep you informed of any potential delays or changes which may affect you, due to your barrister having other commitments whilst undertaking your case.
