FAQs

Barristers that have done the necessary training to work directly with members of the public on a Direct Access or Public Access basis. 

Barristers are usually instructed by solicitors to provide advice and set strategy at important points in the case. It used to be the case that a member of the public could only instruct a barrister through a solicitor but the rules were changed in 2004 to permit the direct instruction of barristers. 

Where you are using a Direct Access barrister you are formally on the Family Court record as a “litigant in person”, representing yourself, meaning that you deal directly with the court and the other party or their solicitors. 

Solicitors usually complete most of the preparation of the cases including drafting documents, liaising with the court and, where necessary, instructing a barrister. Solicitors have historically been the ‘gateway’ to barristers. 

Solicitors usually involve a barrister to advise on a discrete point or represent their client at a court hearing. Barristers tend not to have day to day involvement in the running and management of cases.

Barristers represent clients at Family Court hearings and may provide advice from time to time about the strategy of the case.

Possibly. Some cases are simply too complex to work on a Direct Access basis. Likewise, representing yourself is not easy and can be a significant additional stress at what is already a difficult time. 

If we feel that your situation needs full representation, we will advise you to consider hiring a solicitor and can help you identify a solicitor well suited to your case and budget.

We provide day to day support and guidance for clients who are representing themselves in Family Court proceedings and using the services of Direct Access barristers. 

We may help with drafting paperwork, preparing court bundles, finding the right barrister, collating the barrister’s papers. 

We can also support you with your correspondence with the other side and the court, co-parenting communications and preparing you for giving evidence in your case.

We are not a law firm. We do not represent you within your Family Court proceedings, appear at court or conduct litigation on your behalf. We provide guidance and support which is consistent with the advice that has been provided by your Direct Access Barrister.

We charge only for the time we spend working for you. You may choose to work with us on an occasional basis or more regularly, depending on your needs. 

Barristers charge separately, and they will give an estimate in advance. If you have a limited budget, we can help you prioritise the parts of your case for which it is most important you are represented. 

Barristers will charge for an initial meeting with you (known as a conference). The cost will depend on a number of factors including the seniority of the barrister that you instruct, the urgency, and the volume of papers that the barrister will have to read. Payment on account is usually required in advance of them commencing work. 

They will provide an estimate for representing you at any hearings. The fees for these hearings will usually fall due (“deem”) a week or two before the hearing.

No. We are not a law firm. Our clients are representing themselves in court proceedings (without a solicitor), usually instructing a barrister at key stages and for representation at hearings. We support you in keeping the rest of your case in order, from paperwork to correspondence.

We will help you make enquiries with barristers’ chambers as to Direct Access barristers that are suitable for your case. We only work with specialist, highly regarded barristers from chambers that we know and trust.

The choice of barrister will in part depend on which barristers are available for your court hearings. 

Our referrals and recommendations are made solely on the basis of the high standards that we expect for our clients. 

We do not accept any payment for referrals we make to other professionals, nor do we pay anything for referrals that we receive.