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Public Access

You can instruct an authorised barrister directly, without having to involve a solicitor or other intermediary. This is called Public Access or Direct Access. Barristers accepting Public Access instructions are trained and authorised to do so.

The majority of instructions we accept under Public Access are in commercial cases and company and private company disputes. Other areas of work include personal injury, professional negligence, property damage and insurance.

If you are not sure whether your case is suitable for Public Access, please contact us to seek an initial view. If the barrister believes that your case would benefit from the involvement of a solicitor, we will tell you.

Under Public Access the barrister is authorised to:

provide expert legal advice about the merits and potential outcomes of your case
assist you with drafting correspondence
help to draft statements from litigants and witnesses
draft formal court documents
advise you on suitable experts and draft instructions to expert witnesses
offer you advice on the next steps to be taken in proceedings
assist you in trying to resolve your case
represent you in court

Unless the barrister is also authorised to conduct litigation, responsibility for the day to day management of your case will remain with you. This will include administration such as filing papers with the court and issuing proceedings at court.

More information about Public Access is available here from the Bar Standards Board.

Fees and charges

Depending on the type and scope of service required, we may charge an hourly rate, a fixed fee, or a brief fee and refreshers. Fees will include VAT.

Factors affecting how much it will cost include the time the work will take, the seniority and experience of the barrister, the amount of paperwork to read; the complexity of the issues and what you would like your barrister to do for you – for example, give a written opinion or advice, meet you to give advice or represent you in a court hearing, tribunal or trial.

Our clerks and/or the barrister will ask you for enough information to make an accurate assessment of the matter and the work involved.  We may ask to review the documents or have a brief telephone call with you to complete the assessment, at no charge.

Estimates and quotes

We will give you a clear written quote and contract specifying the work the barrister will do, the terms and conditions and the cost.  Wherever possible a fixed fee will be agreed for each piece of work requested.  In some cases we may only be able to give you an hourly rate and an estimate of likely time and we will make this clear in the contract.

Your instructions will be deemed accepted when you have signed and returned the quote and contract, signifying that you have understood and accepted the scope of work and cost.

Where a fixed cost is quoted for itemised work, it is payable in advance before the work is undertaken.

If additional costs arise, for example, where more documents are provided or your instructions are amended, our clerks or the barrister will discuss these changes with you and issue an amended contract for signature.  If after the initial service is completed, further legal assistance is required, it will be quoted and contracted separately.

As a guide, in cases valued at under £100,000 the minimum hourly rate range is currently between £175 plus VAT and £350 plus VAT per hour depending on the seniority and experience of the barrister.

In cases valued at more than £100,000 higher hourly rates may apply.
For KC representation higher hourly rates will apply.

Please contact us via the form on this page or telephone the team clerk for the relevant area of work:

Commercial, Construction                   here
Insurance, Professional Negligence   here
Personal Injury                                     here

Authorised Barristers

 

Enquiry Form

  • Please note: dependant upon availability and relevant experience, your choice of Counsel may not always be the Barrister best placed to deal with your case.
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