Direct Access allows members of the public and businesses to seek expert legal advice from a barrister, without the need to use a solicitor first. The scheme will save you time and money in your legal matters, as well as make the process easier.
Our barristers are experts in their areas and therefore ideally placed to advise you through your legal proceedings. They are approachable and always willing to take the time to help you understand the details of your case.
Our experienced Clerks act as agents for the barristers and will help identify the most suitable barrister for your case.
To get in touch with the team please email Senior Clerks, Paul Eeles and Steven Wright, by phone on +44 (0)20 7242 3555 or complete the enquiry form.
Click here to view our privacy policy.
Click here to view the BSB’s Public Access Guidance.
For more information about your legal choices please click here.
7BR teams providing Direct Access
What can a barrister do for you under the scheme?
- Give expert legal advice.
- Draft documents (e.g. contracts and standard terms of business).
- Draft letters for you to send (although a barrister may not sign or send the letter on your behalf or write on his own notepaper).
- Advise you on the formal steps to take in proceedings.
- Draft formal court documents (e.g. statements of claim, defences etc.) for use in those proceedings.
- Prepare statements for litigants and witnesses from the information supplied.
- Advise on the choice of an expert witness if required and draft a letter of instruction to that expert.
What are barristers not allowed to do?
- Issue proceedings on your behalf or take other formal steps in proceedings.
- Investigate or collect evidence for use in proceedings
- Instruct an expert witness on your behalf.
- Take responsibility for the general management of a client’s case or business affairs.
- Handle a client’s money.
If you choose to instruct a 7BR barrister directly, the process is as follows:
- Complete the enquiry form on this page.
- A member of the clerking team will contact you to obtain the relevant paperwork and instructions for review.
- Your case will be reviewed by a Direct Access trained barrister with the correct expertise for your case.
- If your case is suitable to advance under the Direct Access scheme you will receive a Client Care Letter (a contract between yourself and the barrister), which outlines the barrister’s role and limitations under the scheme, and the work to be completed. The fees will be set out clearly in the client care letter.
- Once all the documentation is in place, your case papers and instructions have been received, and the fees have been agreed upon, a barrister can proceed with your case.
Pricing Models
The way our barristers charge for their work varies, but the most commonly used pricing models are fixed fee and hourly rate. A fixed fee is agreed in advance for a particular piece of work. It is calculated by reference to, amongst other factors, the amount of work likely to be involved but once it is agreed, the fee will not vary according to the amount of time it takes the barrister to complete the work unless the scope of the work changes significantly and you consent to the change. If you engage a barrister at their hourly rate, they will charge for the number of hours it takes them to complete the work which they have been instructed to perform. All fees will also be subject to applicable VAT.
The hourly rates and fixed fees vary depending on a number of factors, but the most significant ones are the barrister’s expertise and standing within the profession and the complexity of the work involved in any particular case.
Our clerks are always happy to provide a bespoke quotation on a case-by-case basis.
Timescales
Our barristers are experienced in dealing with urgent matters and meeting strict deadlines. Timescales for a case can vary depending on a number of factors including barristers’ availability, the type and complexity of the case, instruction of expert witnesses, the need for additional documents and court waiting times.
Additional costs
In some cases, barristers may incur expenses in the course of providing their services. Most commonly, these are travel expenses and hotel costs. However, these are only incurred if necessary and most often agreed in advance.
