Until quite recently a member of the public was unable to come straight to a barrister for advice or representation in respect of their personal or business affairs. It was usually necessary to be referred through a solicitor. In many cases that will continue to be the situation, especially where there is complex litigation which requires a team of people including a solicitor to investigate and manage the case. However, recent Government changes have allowed the public and businesses to come direct to a barrister where specific advice and representation is required but the investigation and management of the case can be conducted without a solicitor.
Direct access therefore allows swift and cost effective legal advice and representation. College Chambers accepts direct access instructions in all our practice areas where the case is suitable and we consider ourselves one of the regions pioneers in this type of work.
What we can do for you
The rules relating to direct access mean that we can
Advise you or your business, either in conference or in writing
Draft the formal court documents (called 'pleadings') setting out your case
Draft the terms of formal letters such as notices of intended claims, instructions to experts and settlement offers
Advise you as to the evidence you will need in your case
Represent you in courts and tribunals
Attend formal meetings with you such as joint settlement meetings and mediations
What we cannot do for you
We are not permitted to
Engage in correspondence for you or on your firms behalf (although we may be able to assist you in drafting letters for you to send)
Take responsibility for the management of court proceedings or put ourselves on the court record as being able to accept formal notices for you or issue court proceedings for you (although we can advice you as to how to do this yourself)
Investigate your case or interview witnesses (although we can advise you as to evidence that you will need to assemble and draft up statements from the material you have collected)
Hold client money
Accept instructions from you if you qualify for public funding (legal aid)
HOW TO PROCEED
A telephone call to our experienced clerks (who have undergone professional training in the operation of this new system) will help us to establish whether your case is suitable for direct access and if so which barrister is best able to help you. They will provide you with an estimate of costs for the differing barristers according to their seniority and experience and will talk to you about the type of work they do.
We will also ask you to complete a short questionnaire. Some of the questions may seem a bit imposing but like all professionals we are required by our regulatory body to keep proper records of our clients and comply with statutory regulations. Information provided in the questionnaire will be kept strictly confidential and will never be released by us without your authority save for very exceptional reasons (such as compliance with money laundering or anti-terrorism legislation).
