Anyone can now go directly to a barrister, for advice and/or representation, without having to involve anyone else.
The barrister’s role remains essentially the same as when they are approached by a solicitor or another intermediary. Barristers can advise you on your legal status or rights. Barristers can draft and send documents for you and can represent you in court, tribunals or mediations. Barristers can also negotiate on your behalf and can attend employment or investigative interviews and hearings where appropriate.
Because the barrister’s role is unchanged and there are limits on the types of work that a barrister can do, there are still some cases and situations in which you will need to instruct a solicitor or another intermediary as well as a barrister. However, for many cases the public access scheme allows you to go directly to the expert barrister for advice, representation and drafting. (http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/instructing-a-barrister/public-access/)
Or, if you would prefer, you can download and complete our Public Access Enquiry Form here>>>
Fee Transparency
Barristers in Chambers act in privately funded and legally aided cases, as well as insurance backed work.
The most commonly used pricing models for privately funded legal services are charges by an hourly rate, a fixed fee or an agreed brief fee and refreshers.
The setting of hourly rates is not necessarily straightforward and a number of factors may determine the rate that is set, for example the seniority of barrister, the type of client, and the type, complexity and financial value of the case.
Fees for hearings are usually calculated on the basis of a brief fee and refresher. A brief fee is a fixed fee which usually covers preparation for the hearing and the first day of the hearing. A refresher is a fixed fee for each subsequent day of the hearing. These fee estimates will take into account a number of factors including (but not limited to), the required preparation, the complexity of the issues, the seniority and expertise of the barrister and any reservation of diary time. It is important to discuss and agree with the clerks exactly what will be included within the agreed fee. All fees will be subject to VAT at the prevailing rate (where applicable).
Some of our barristers also accept instructions under conditional fee agreements (“no win, no fee” agreements) in certain circumstances.
We always aim to set out quotes clearly, but if there is something you do not understand please contact us. For more information on fees and how they are determined, please click here to view our fees and policies or contact the clerks by clicking here.
A more detailed breakdown can be found here: Crime, Employment, Family and Regulatory.
