Learn More About Direct Access

Why choose a Barrister?

Barristers are highly skilled legal experts. The barrister’s role is to advise you in relation to your case, draft documents for court use, and represent you at court hearings.

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Until fairly recently individuals with a legal dispute had to go to a solicitor first. The solicitor would traditionally deal with the preparation of the case leading up to any court hearing, and would then instruct a barrister to represent the client at the hearing.

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Under the public access scheme individuals can cut out the middle man and go directly to a barrister. This means a considerable costs saving for the individual – instead of paying for two (or more) lawyers, you are only paying for one.

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It also means that the expert barrister who in the past only became involved at the end of the case – at the court hearing – is with you from the start, advising you on the law and on litigation strategy.

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It does mean that you have to undertake the administration and paperwork that in the past would normally have been done by a solicitor. This will however provide you with a substantial cost saving. If your case is going to be particularly complicated (for example with large numbers of witnesses, or thousands of pages of documentation) then it may not be suitable for public access.

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If you do not feel confident in managing more of the preparation of a case for yourself, then it may be better for you to instruct a solicitor. If you need very regular contact with your lawyer a solicitor may be more appropriate; a barrister cannot always be available to you as they may be engaged in other cases. I can assist you with recommendations if required.

If you are in any doubt, then get in contact with my clerking team for further advice. When working on your case, I am also under a continuing duty to consider whether your case is suitable for public access.

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The Bar Standards Board has published useful guidance for people considering whether to use a public access barrister: Link

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You can search the Bar Standards Board's register of barristers here: Link