I accept instructions from individuals, and commercial and non-commercial organisations by way of ‘Direct Access’, also known as ‘Public Access’. The ‘Direct Access’ scheme lets members of the public instruct a barrister without having to go through a solicitor, and provides better value for money than going through a solicitor.

If you have a legal or any other matter that you want help on, you can email me with the details. Or you can telephone one of my clerks on 020 7440 8888; they will be pleased to help you understand the process and assess whether this is the best option for you. All contact details are listed on this website.

Advantages of Direct Access

  • You have a direct line of communication with your barrister, and his expert knowledge and experience.
  • You will save money because you are not paying for a solicitor.
  • Costs are reduced (because there is no solicitor) and agreed in advance so you know exactly how much you are going to pay.
  • You get a tailor-made service, with as much or as little help as you want; some people are just after a second opinion by way of a phone call, or help with writing a letter, others want representation at a trial or other hearing.

Examples of Direct Access Cases

  • Advice and advocacy in court and tribunal hearings: I can represent you at trial, disciplinary or other tribunal or hearing, and help you to prepare for it (whether he represents you at the hearing or not).
  • Pre-charge advice to those who have been arrested but not yet charged.
  • Drafting correspondence and legal documents. For example, writing to the Crown Prosecution Service to suggest a review of the decision to charge.
  • Advice on prospects of fighting a case; opinion as to strengths of the evidence and likely sentence.
  • Advice on how to comply with legislation, money laundering regulations, and other matters of regulatory compliance.
  • Advising on trial and other litigation strategy.
  • Provide a second opinion on any aspect of a case.
  • Advice on appeals against sentence and conviction from any court or tribunal.
  • Interpretation of the law.
  • Road traffic cases such as speeding and drink driving, special reasons, exceptional hardship.
  • Help to draft correspondence; I’ve drafted letters for clients, for example;
    • A letter to the Crown Prosecution Service asking for a review of the decision to prosecution, or not to prosecute.
    • A letter offering a ‘caution’ as an alternative to prosecution.
    • A letter of mitigation for a client to use when pleading guilty to driving offences in the Magistrates’ Court.

Direct Access Barristers are not allowed to:

  • Issue court documents on your behalf (but they can help you to draft them).
  • Contact witnesses or collect and investigate evidence themselves.
  • Instruct an expert witness on your behalf.
  • Handle your money.

Not every matter is suitable for public access work, and in some cases it may be necessary – or become necessary – to instruct a solicitor; I will advise if this is the case, and can recommend leading solicitors with whom he has worked.

Some more general information can be found at :
http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/instructing a-barrister/public-access/

London