PUBLIC ACCESS
The Public and Licensed Access schemes (sometimes referred to as direct access) allow companies, organisations and members of the public to instruct barristers directly without the requirement for a solicitor. Many clients and companies are unaware that they can directly instruct a specialist barrister and that often, doing so will result in lower costs compared to instructing a law firm who will usually instruct a barrister on your behalf.
Our Public Access team are qualified to:
- Provide you with expert legal advice about the merits and potential outcomes of your case
- Assist you with drafting documents/correspondence/applications
- Draft formal court documents
- Offer you advice on the next steps to be taken in proceedings
- Represent you in court, mediation/arbitration, at inquests or in formal meetings
In order to instruct a barrister under the public or licenced access scheme, we will need to be satisfied that you can undertake certain tasks yourself, albeit with our guidance. In certain cases and situations we may feel that it is in your best interests to instruct a solicitor and, in those circumstances, we will be happy to recommend suitable options should you require a referral.
We accept Public Access instructions on a privately funded basis only. The cost of instructing a barrister will depend on the complexity of your case, the seniority of counsel, the amount of work involved, and the urgency of the work. Our quotes will either be on an hourly rate or a capped/fixed fee basis, whichever best suits your needs. You can find guidance on our rates here.
You may be eligible for Legal Aid funding. You can check if you qualify here.
We accept Public or Licenced Access instructions in the following areas of law:
- Criminal Law (including driving offences)
- Immigration Law
- Family Law
- Extradition proceedings
- Employment Law
- Arbitration and Mediation
- Licencing (including taxi and private hire, alcohol, firearms, closure orders and regulatory offences affecting licence restrictions)
- Inquests
- Prison Law
- Actions against the police and authorities
- Sports Law (including Football Supporter Law)
You will be asked to provide the clerks with any relevant information and case papers relating to your case along with your full name, correspondence address, copy of your photo ID and a utility bill.
If you wish to instruct a specific barrister, please make the clerks aware upon instruction. If you prefer to be provided with options for suitable barristers, the clerks will be able to advise you accordingly.
You will require an initial legal advice session which will involve a virtual conference. This session will provide an opportunity for you to discuss your case in detail with your chosen barrister who will advise you on the merit of your case, the next steps and confirm that, following assessment, they can proceed to represent you under the public access scheme. The fee for an initial legal advice session is £350 + Vat and, if proceeding to instruct counsel for further work, may be levied against the quote for the next stage of work.
Following the initial legal advice session, the clerks will liaise with your barrister to provide a quotation for any work required. You will be provided with a formal quote in the form of a client care letter outlining our terms of instruction. These terms are to protect you, as well as us, and form a contract once signed. We are able to accept instructions from a third party or intermediary on behalf of a client and our terms will be adapted in that respect.
Please note that all fees are expected to be paid prior to work being undertaken and are non-refundable.
If you wish to instruct a barrister under the public or licensed access schemes, please contact our clerks to discuss your matter in further detail at clerks@greatjames.co.uk or on 0207 440 4949 or complete the contact form below.
All of our clerks are fully trained in the administration of Public Access instructions.
Contact
Public access team
CONTACT
CONTACT OUR CLERKS TO DISCUSS HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU.
Great James Street Chambers
0207 440 4949
www.greatjames.co.uk
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