Direct access allows you to instruct a barrister without engaging a solicitor or a legal representative. Some barristers are direct access and other barristers are not. Direct access barristers fall into two groups, those who can conduct litigation and those who cannot conduct litigation.

The Direct Access scheme allows members of the public and businesses to seek expert legal advice and representation from a barrister, without the needing to instruct a solicitor first. This provides clients a clear, streamlined and cost effective solution to deal with legal matters.

We are committed to providing clients with a service that is approachable and efficient.

We can provide legal assistance across many areas of law and have expert experience in:

Crime
Family law
Immigration

What can a barrister do for you under the scheme?

Provide you with expert legal advice
Draft documents
Assist you to draft correspondence
Assist in drafting statements from litigants and witnesses
Advise you on suitable expert witnesses and draft your instructions to them
Offer you advice on proceedings
Draft court documents
Appear in court on your behalf

However barristers cannot undertake the following under the scheme:

Handle money on your behalf
Instruct expert witnesses directly
Contact witnesses directly
Issue proceedings or Investigate evidence
Correspond with opposing lawyers on your behalf

How to instruct us

In the first instance please complete our online initial enquiry form  or contact our experienced clerking team either by telephone on 03301332871 or by email on [email protected]  as appropriate.

Our clerks can advise and recommend barristers with the most relevant experience and expertise to assist you as well as advise on the cost involved.

Barristers fees are generally calculated based on their experience, hourly rate and the time required to complete any work. Fees can also include travel and hotel expenses if incurred. Fees are confirmed ahead of any work done and are to be paid in advance. VAT is charged on all fees as applicable.

Providing your matter is suitable to advance under the Direct Access scheme you will receive a Client Care Letter (your contract with your barrister), setting out the work to be completed, the agreed fees and the barrister’s role and limitations under the scheme.

Once all the documentation is in place, your case papers and instructions have been received, along with payment of the agreed fee, the barrister can proceed with your case.

The Bar Council’s Direct Access Scheme webpage details the benefits of using the scheme.

Please also refer to the Bar Standards Board Guidance for the Public.

Does it make a difference as to which direct access barrister a person employs? The simple answer is yes, as there is a difference. If the barrister cannot conduct litigation this means that you have to do some of the work as well, in other words you are sharing some of the responsibilities and the workload.

What makes us different?  We have the right to conduct litigation which means that we can act in the same way as a solicitor or a legal representative, the difference being that you do not have to pay for both; only one.

Having the right to conduct litigation means we can do all the work for you. We can:

Issue proceedings or applications on your behalf
Acknowledge service of proceedings 
Give our address instead of your personal one to all relevant parties
File documents at court or serve documents to other parties
Issue notices of appeal 
Deal with correspondence

Remote Working

We are set up to work remotely, therefore you can communicate with us from the comfort of your own home. 

Case papers can be sent to us electronically through our drag and drop system.  This is available on any device that can access an internet browser, such as smartphones, PCs, laptops and tablets; resulting in swifter communication with no expense. 

Should we feel that it is in your interest to have a solicitor we will advise you.

What we cannot do is hold client monies.