Welcome to barristers Direct

• How do I know the barrister I instruct will be right for my case?
• What type of cases are suitable for public access work?
• What work is a barrister prohibited from doing under public access?
• What are the advantages of instructing a barrister rather than a solicitor?
• Who can instruct a barrister under the public access scheme?
• What should I put in my Instructions to Counsel?

How do I know the barrister I instruct will be right for my case?

Choosing the right barrister is essential not only for your peace of mind but also your pocket. Unless you already know the barrister you want to instruct, you will probably base your assessment on Reputation, Experience, Qualification, Cost and your own Protection.

Reputation

4 King’s Bench Walk is of the leading and best established common law sets of barristers. Our Chambers are in the Temple in the heart of legal London, where we have been for over 35 years. We comprise 41 barristers, three of whom are QCs, and a clerks’ room staff of five. Members of Chambers have gone on to become High Court and Circuit Judges, Queen’s Bench Masters, Employment Tribunal and Mental Health Review Tribunal Chairmen. Three of our current members are Recorders (part-time judges in the Crown and County Courts). Not all members of Chambers undertake public access work, particularly those who practice in crime, family and immigration law where public access is either prohibited or only available in very limited circumstances.

Experience

A barrister must have been in practice for at least three years before he can do public access work. In fact those at 4 King’s Bench Walk who take on public access cases are all between five and 20 years call. As with most Chambers, our barristers specialise in different areas of the law. A barrister is under a professional obligation only to accept cases in which he has experience and competence to act. One of the responsibilities of our clerks is to ensure the right case is assigned to the right barrister.

Qualification

To practise as a barrister you must have a qualifying law degree or its equivalent, pass the Bar Vocational Course, be called to the Bar by one of the four Inns of Court and successfully complete a one-year pupillage (period of practical training). He or she must then be invited to join an established set of Chambers, known as getting a tenancy. A barrister entitled to do public access work must have also attended a Bar Council designated course. A practising barrister has higher rights of audience entitling him to appear on behalf of a client in all courts in England and Wales.

Cost

There will generally be a saving in cost in instructing a barrister directly under the public access scheme rather than through a solicitor. For a start, you are paying for one lawyer not two. Also, because barristers are independent and therefore generally have less overheads than solicitors their rates are often considerably lower. For example, Her Majesty’s Court Service guideline figure for a solicitor in the City of London with over eight years post qualification experience is £380 per hour plus VAT. The normal hourly rate for a barrister of eight years call at 4 King’s Bench Walk is £175 plus VAT.

Protection

All barristers at 4 King’s Bench Walk have current practising certificates, issued by the Bar Council and renewed annually. All have compulsory indemnity insurance and are subject to the supervisory jurisdiction of the Bar Standards Board. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the services of a barrister you are entitled to make a complaint to the General Council of the Bar, 289-293 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7HZ.