Direct Public Access

Members of the public and companies may instruct barristers directly and therefore reduce legal fees by obtaining specialist legal advice and representation directly without the involvement of a solicitor.

Barristers at 9BR Chambers who accept direct public access are regulated by the Bar Standards Board and registered with the Bar Council to conduct this work.

The Bar Standards Board's current guidance on instructing a barrister can be found here. Barristers who are authorised to practise in England and Wales can be found on the Barristers’ Register. This shows whether they have a current practising certificate and any disciplinary findings.

If you choose to instruct a barrister under Direct Access you will need to be confident that you can undertake the administrative tasks associated with managing a case.

This includes:

  • Collating relevant papers and evidence in support
  • Providing clear and concise instructions for your barrister
  • Corresponding with the court and other parties directly (although your barrister will be able to draft letters and other legal documents on your behalf).

Some of our barristers are also licensed to litigate so will be able to assist with the above for a fee.

Our barristers, in collaboration with CrowdJustice, may be able to offer an alternative funding option in appropriate cases.

Some cases may not be appropriate to be dealt with under Direct Access. One example is criminal proceedings where you are eligible for Legal Aid. To see if you are eligible check the website here.

9BR Chambers' barristers will endeavour to provide legal services promptly and efficiently however there may be occasions when timescales cannot be met due to:

  • Counsel’s availability
  • Availability of the client or relevant third parties
  • Complexity of the case
  • Amount of papers to be reviewed
  • The need for additional information or documents

Our barristers have a professional duty to consider the needs of a client. Should it become necessary to instruct a solicitor, 9BR Chambers will advise upon a suitably qualified solicitor.

Please contact Senior Clerk, Paul Outen (paul.outen@9brchambers.co.uk, 0207 489 2727) or First Junior Clerk Russell Good (russell.good@9brchambers.co.uk, 0207 489 2727) to discuss whether your case is appropriate for Direct Public Access and to obtain a quotation for the legal services required.

Terms of Service

  • Because 9BR Chambers' barristers cover a wide variety of work a variety of pricing models are available. The most common are brief and refresher rates, hourly rates, fixed fees and Conditional Fee Agreements.
  • Upon acceptance of the work the barrister and the client will enter into a contract, setting out precisely what work will be done, the fees for the work, the time it will take and any notable deadlines.
  • Barristers fees will be charged according to their level of experience, the complexity of the case and the length of time involved in dealing with it. The time at which fees become payable will be agreed on a case by case basis.
  • Where the fee relates to a hearing, the barrister is normally entitled to the fee, whether or not the hearing goes ahead, though you may be able to agree a different basis for payment of the fee in such a case.
  • Fees for paperwork and conferences will, where possible, be fixed in advance of the work. Where it is not possible, an estimate will be given. We may also be able to agree that there should be a “ceiling” on the fee charged for a particular piece of work.
  • Where fees are agreed in advance of the work being done, the barrister will require the fee to be paid before carrying out the work.
  • Where a fee is not fixed in advance and the work involves the production of paperwork (for example the drafting of a contract), the barrister will require you to pay for the work before it is released. If, when finding out more about the case, the barrister considers the work that is proposed will take longer than the time agreed, the barrister will contact you the client to arrange and amend the contract.