Instructing us directly - The Public Access Scheme

COME DIRECT TO DOUGHTY STREET – NO DETOURS

We accept instructions from individual members of the public, business owners and companies.

Historically, the Bar was a referral profession, meaning we could only accept instructions from a professional client such as a solicitor. The system was similar to the way a consultant doctor sees a patient on a GP’s referral. However, a liberalisation of the legal services market means that barrister can now accept instructions from clients directly under the Public Access Scheme. Details can be found, here.

Many companies, business owners, and members of the public have found the Public Access Scheme to be an easy and cost-effective way of obtaining legal advice, and Doughty Street Chambers has specially trained barristers and practice managers who can assist you through the process.

Instructing a barrister under the Public Access Scheme can save you money (as you are only paying for one lawyer), it allows you to have complete control over your choice of specialist adviser, and gives you a direct line of communication with them.

Not all cases are suitable for the Public Access Scheme, and not all barristers are qualified to accept instructions in this way, but more information appears below, and we will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Public Access Scheme qualified barristers can:

provide you with expert advice on your legal status and rights, and advice on the merits and potential outcomes of your case;

represent you in court, or at a tribunal or a mediation;

negotiate on your behalf, and accompany you to an investigative interview or hearing where appropriate;

assist you with drafting correspondence;

help to draft witness statements;

draft formal court documents;

advise you on suitable expert witnesses and draft instructions to them;

offer you advice on the next steps to be taken in proceedings, and;

generally assist you in trying to resolve your case.

Public Access Scheme qualified barristers cannot:

do everything your case requires!

The Scheme does not fundamentally change the role of a barrister as a specialist adviser, and so there are limits on what we can do for you. We will need to be satisfied that you can undertake certain tasks yourself, albeit with our guidance. In certain cases and situations we may also feel that it is in your best interests to instruct a solicitor to assist, and we will be happy to recommend suitable options.

Tasks we cannot undertake ourselves include:

filing documents (such as expert reports, case summaries and witness statements) with a court;

contacting witnesses and collecting or investigating evidence;

instructing an expert witness on your behalf;

pay court or expert fees on your behalf;

corresponding with the other side and the court on your behalf.

If you feel you would have difficulty in completing such tasks, we will still be happy to recommend a solicitor to you.

Funding Your Case

We accept Public Access instructions on a privately funded basis only, and our policy is to take payment in advance of counsel undertaking any work. We accept funds by bank transfer or by credit/debit card. The cost of instructing a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers will depend on the complexity of your case, the seniority of counsel, the amount of work involved, and the urgency of the work. The quotes will either be on an hourly rate or fixed fee (brief fee/ refresher) basis, subject to what is most appropriate for the case and cost effective. On completion of the below form, our practice managers will be in touch to advise further, however some estimated costs in particular practice areas can be found here.

PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately we are not permitted to accept Public Access Scheme cases on a Legal Aid basis, nor are we able to assist you in determining whether or not you are eligible for Legal Aid.

If you think you may be eligible for Legal Aid then you may wish to visit the website of the Ministry of Justice which offers a Legal Aid Eligibility Calculator; this can be accessed by clicking here. However, a solicitor will provide you with the best advice on whether or not you are eligible for Legal Aid, and we will be pleased to offer suggestions on suitable advisors.

Even if you are eligible for Legal Aid, you can still choose to instruct a barrister privately, using your own funds, under the Public Access Scheme if you prefer. Our practice managers will explain the implications of instructing a barrister privately, and the likely costs you will incur.

We are always happy to accept Legal Aid cases on instructions from a solicitor. Indeed, on many occasions we have provided initial advice under the Public Access Scheme, but for reasons of complexity or otherwise a need arose for a solicitor to be instructed; we have undertaken further work on such cases funded by Legal Aid after those solicitors assisted clients in making a successful application.

Next Steps

If you are interested in instructing one of our Public Access Scheme qualified barristers, please fill in a short online form available via the "Tell Us About Your Case" button which appears below, and this will help us assess how best we can help. The form will be reviewed by our practice managers in the first instance, who may need to contact you asking for some further information. We will aim to respond to your enquiry within 2 working days.

You can also meet our Public Access Scheme qualified barristers using the filter below, which also allows you to search by practice area depending on the type of law with which you need assistance.

Please call us if you want more information on the Public Access Scheme, or click here for a guidance note prepared by the Bar Standards Board which regulates barristers.

Meet Our Public Access Qualified Barristers: