Becket Chambers provides a high-quality, value for money legal service to clients via the Direct Public Access (DPA) scheme, which, in the right circumstances, can save you money by working directly with us, without the need for a solicitor.
Our clients choose Becket Chambers not only for our unrivalled specialist knowledge across the range of our legal expertise, but also for our approachability and commitment to helping all our clients benefit from high-quality legal advice and advocacy. Barristers at Becket Chambers are qualified to accept instructions under the DPA scheme across a comprehensive range of practice areas.
Under the direct access scheme, you can access specialist legal advice from highly experienced barristers dealing with:
Your barrister will be supported by a team of experienced clerks dedicated to offering you the highest standards of client care.
Under the Direct Public Access Rules there is a range of work that barristers may carry out, as well as some things they are not allowed to do. DPA barristers can advise you on the law, draft documents for you to use, and represent you before courts and tribunals.
Barristers do not handle client money or undertake the administrative management of a case proceeding through a court (i.e. they cannot conduct litigation).
Your barrister can draft letters on your behalf.
Your DPA barrister cannot send letters to other parties or the court for you. It will be your responsibility to engage in all correspondence, not the barrister’s.
Your barrister can appear on your behalf to argue your case at court.
If a witness statement is needed from you (or a witness), your barrister can review a draft statement you have prepared and finalise it as a statement. Your barrister cannot interview a witness on your behalf or prepare their statement. You will have to do this. Your barrister cannot undertake any investigations or enquiries on your behalf. Any investigations and enquiries will be your responsibility.
Your barrister can advise you on the need for expert evidence and on the choice of a suitable expert.
Your DPA barrister may not instruct an expert on your behalf. The responsibility for instructing the expert (whether of your own choice or as recommended by your barrister) will be yours.
If you decide to use the Direct Public Access scheme to instruct a barrister, you will be responsible for:
● choosing the barrister you would prefer to work with.
● gathering evidence to support your case.
● drafting witness statements (whether your own or other people’s).
● managing all the correspondence and administration relating to your case, including with the court.
Every case is different, so we ask you to contact the clerks for a no-obligation indication of likely fees.
Wherever possible we will try to agree a fixed fee for the work required. Any fees quoted are dependent on the experience of the barrister, the nature of the case, the volume of case papers and the time involved in preparation and representation.
Unfortunately the current rules prohibit barristers from accepting instructions where the client is funded by Legal Aid, unless it is through a solicitor. If you’re eligible for Legal Aid (find out about Legal Aid here), we can recommend suitable solicitors or you can search via the Law Society.
First, contact the clerks for a discussion. If they think your case is eligible, they will email you a referral form to complete.
You’ll need to provide all relevant case information detailing the nature of your case, any court dates, time deadlines and a chronology of events.
The clerks will forward your completed form to your preferred barrister, who will consider whether your case is suitable for Direct Access and advise on their availability.
Once your case has been accepted by your barrister, the clerks will tell you what documentation is required.
Usually, an initial case conference is arranged, and you will be quoted a fee for this (and, if possible, you will be given an indication of other likely fees).
If you are happy to proceed on these terms, the clerks will send you a client care letter. This letter will form the contract between you and the barrister, and contains the terms and conditions.
Once you have signed and returned the client care letter, we will be able to proceed on your case. As your case proceeds, you will receive a further letter of agreement before any subsequent work is undertaken. All correspondence between you, your barrister and the clerks will be recorded and securely stored.
Start by looking at our barrister profiles. To discuss your needs, or find out about the availability of a particular barrister, contact the clerks.
