Direct Access

Some people still think that a solicitor is the first port of call regarding legal services. In fact, they’re not and haven’t been for some time. You have a choice. You can go to a solicitor, or you can go directly to a barrister. Going directly to a barrister is known as direct access or public access. One of the benefits of direct access to barristers is that this route will cost you less overall. If you are unsure about the difference between barristers and solicitors, find out here.

Important information for our clients and those considering our services can be found here.

Additional information and guidance are contained in the Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients document on the Bar Standards Board’s website.

How can a barrister help me?

Barristers are specialist legal advisers and courtroom advocates.  They are independent lawyers with specialist knowledge and experience in and out of court, which can make a substantial difference to the outcome of a case.

Advice from a barrister at a dispute’s early stage can help avoid unnecessary and costly litigation. But if the dispute continues, a well-argued case and good cross-examination can make all the difference to the final outcome.

Using the direct services of our family law barristers gives you serious benefits:

• Lower costs – Barristers tend to cost less than people expect and often less than solicitors. This is because barristers do not have the level of overheads that solicitors have, so they can charge less. When you pay a barrister, you are paying for their time and expertise – not the cost of running an expensive office.
• Fixed fees – Barristers have been providing their services at fixed fees for years. Knowing the cost before the work is undertaken is a crucially important factor for you to bear in mind. Fixed fees enable you to plan your financial outlay in advance and avoid nasty surprises by receiving a bill you weren’t expecting. Peace of mind prevails!
• Legal expertise – Barristers are experts in their chosen area of law. They advise on the strengths and weaknesses of a claim, draft legal documents, write letters on your behalf, negotiate settlements and skillfully represent clients before courts and tribunals.
• Speed of service – Barristers have specialist legal knowledge and skills, which means they can provide solutions to legal problems quickly and efficiently.

How our family law barristers can help you:

• giving expert legal advice on an issue
• drafting second opinions where other lawyers have already been involved
• identifying any weaknesses in your case and making it as strong as it can be
• drafting your statement and those of your witnesses
• advising you on the right choice of expert witness
• negotiating with the other side
• representing you before a court or tribunal