Traditionally members of the public were not allowed to instruct barristers directly and could only have access to legal advice and representation by counsel if they instructed them via a solicitor. Not only did this involve duplication of work and costs, barristers do not have the overheads which solicitors firms are burdened by and so in many cases instructing a barrister directly works out much more cost effective than going to a solicitor. In a nutshell, instructing a barrister directly cuts out the middle man/woman.
The type of work a barrister can carry out for you varies from case to case but the following list is a reasonable guide:
- Advising on law and procedure
- Appearing in cout on your behalf
- Representing you in a mediation session
- Drafting court documents such as Particulars of Claim, Defence, Applications (eg: to strike out, or to set aside default judgement)
- Drafting witness statements
- Drafting instructions or questions to an expert
- Drafting and sending letters on your behalf including entering into correspondence with the other side or their solicitor or barrister
If you are a legal lifeLINE subscriber you need work which is outside the scope of the subscription and your case is suitable for direct public access, you will benefit from preferential discounted fees for those services.
Even if you do not wish to take out a legal lifeLINE subscription I would be happy to discuss your requirements.
Please contact me for a free consultation.
If you wish to read more about direct public access, here is the link to the Bar Standard Boards guidance for lay clients: