PUBLIC ACCESS View Barristers What is Public Access? Since 2004, members of the public have been able to come direct to barristers for legal advice and representation without having to go through a solicitor or another intermediary professional first. This is called Public Access. Nothing has changed in terms of the work barristers can do for you. However, under the public access scheme you can take responsibility for the preliminary work normally done by a solicitor or other professional, in order to engage and deal directly with your barrister. Not every matter is suitable for public access work because there are some things that barristers are not allowed to do. However, Conference Chambers probably undertakes more public access cases than any other chambers and is very experienced at providing assistance to a wide range of clients. Public Access can benefit you in a number of ways:
barristers. In addition, barristers tend to charge on a piece of work as opposed to by the hour. This means that it is in the barrister's interests to be efficient.
(if they attend court at all). In addition, barristers tend to be experts in specific areas of law, since they are used to arguing points of law at trial and on appeal.
most solicitors are not allowed to appear in the higher and appeal courts. How do I instruct a barrister? If you have a legal matter that needs attention and that may be suitable for us to advise on under the Public Access scheme you can email us with the details on carole@conferencechambers.com or telephone the Senior Clerk on 020 8144 0134. We will be pleased to help you understand the process and assess whether this is the right route for you. Licensed Access allows companies, firms and other organisations to instruct a barrister directly. This requires approval through the Bar Council. We will provide assistance wherever possible to support a licensed access application. Is a barrister obliged to accept Public Access work? Only a minority of barristers undertake direct access work. For those who do, the barrister must be satisfied that the case is suitable for direct access. If the barrister considers that it is not in your interests or the interests of justice to proceed by way of direct access, he or she will decline your instructions and refer you to a solicitor. Each case will depend on its particular facts: the barrister will consider the nature of the work that you wish him or her to undertake and your own ability to deal with the parts of your case that would otherwise have been handled by a solicitor. Questions often asked: Can I get public funding? What about "no win no fee" arrangements? What happens next? How will I be charged? Can I instruct a barrister direct when I have already instructed solicitors? Confidentiality and compulsory disclosure of information Services we can offer Our aim is to provide a personal, accessible and professional service where we provide you with support and guidance in addition to specialist advice and representation in courts, tribunals’ arbitrations and any other hearings where you are allowed to be represented by someone else. Our barristers can: provide you with expert legal advice draft documents such as contracts and standard terms of business help you to draft correspondence help to draft statements from litigants and witnesses advise you on suitable experts and draft instructions to expert witnesses offer you advice on the next steps to be taken in proceedings draft formal court documents Our barristers cannot: issue court documents on your behalf contact witnesses or collect and investigate evidence instruct an expert witness on your behalf handle your money correspond with the other side on your behalf Areas of Law Barristers are restricted from doing: Immigration Family Criminal We can be instructed directly on: Commercial & Business Professional Discipline & Regulatory Employment & Discrimination Construction Property BAR COUNCIL PUBLIC ACCESS DIRECTORY EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL ET/1 and ET/3 Forms and Guidance Users are urged in the strongest possible terms to take legal advice, and are reminded that the information on this site is free and is provided as an initial guide only. |
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