A direct access barrister offers services directly to clients and members of the public without the need for a solicitor to act as a “middle-man”. This is useful as it means that clients can save money on fees by handling simple day-to-day admin tasks such as e-mailing the court and opposing parties, collating documents, and filling out forms. However, where clients feel that they require some assistance from an experienced legal professional, a direct access barrister can help. Whether it is drafting legal documents or representation in court, the client can choose which services the barrister will provide and only pay for those.
What are some of the key benefits of direct access?
So what is a direct access barrister able to offer to your case? Some of the key benefits of direct access include:
Complete control of your case
If you already have some working knowledge of the legal process (this is very common in Family Court disputes where a party may have already submitted an application to the court without using a lawyer) you may feel that you can handle the general management of your case (usually a solicitor would do this). If so then seeking help on a direct access basis will allow you to handle the litigation yourself and still have the support of a barrister for representation in court.
More affordable legal assistance
By handling litigation for yourself and gaining more control of your case, you will reduce the legal fees involved compared to hiring both a solicitor and a barrister. But you can still benefit from the assistance and knowledge of your barrister when you need it. Just bear in mind that their time will obviously be charged for.
The support of a specialist expert
Depending on the type of case you are dealing with, you can select a specialist direct access barrister in the field of law your case is in. At Demstone Chambers, we are direct access barristers specialising in family law (including children and financial disputes).
What can a barrister offer over a solicitor?
Barristers are specialists in courtroom presentation. Solicitors often will focus on the preparation element of the case, and if the case goes to court, solicitors will usually hire a barrister to represent the client in court. If you know that you will require legal representation in court, and are comfortable preparing your own case, then a direct access barrister is the ideal solution.
How can Demstone Chambers help you?
We are a specialist family law barristers chambers based in Milton Keynes. We can offer our services across England and Wales, including: London, Birmingham, Coventry, and more. If you need support with a family law case whether it is a consultation or representation in court, we can help. To learn more, contact us today.