Direct Access to a Barrister Explained
You do not always need a solicitor first
Many people assume that speaking to a barrister means first instructing a solicitor. That is no longer necessarily the case.
The Public Access scheme, commonly called Direct Access, allows individuals, businesses and organisations to instruct an appropriately registered barrister directly in suitable matters.
For someone seeking advice about their legal position or what to do next, this can offer a straightforward route to an experienced legal professional.
What is Direct Access?
Traditionally, a solicitor would take your instructions and engage a barrister when specialist advice or representation was needed.
Public Access provides another route. You can approach a participating barrister yourself, explain what help you need and agree the work and fee directly.
Not every barrister offers this service. Public Access practitioners must meet the applicable training and registration requirements and consider whether accepting your instructions is appropriate.
Direct Access and Public Access describe the same route to instructing a barrister.
Why speak directly to a barrister?
You may want experienced advice before committing to a particular course of action.
For example:
Do I have a potential claim or defence?
How should I respond to a legal demand?
Is a disagreement worth pursuing?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my position?
Do I need to act urgently?
What further help would be useful?
Direct Access allows you to discuss those questions with the person advising you. In suitable cases, it may also reduce costs by avoiding the need to engage both a solicitor and a barrister for the particular work required.
You do not need to be involved in court proceedings to seek advice.
What can a Public Access barrister do?
Depending on their practice, the instruction and any necessary authorisation, a barrister may provide legal advice, draft legal documents or represent a client at a hearing.
The work must be agreed beforehand. Instructing a barrister for advice does not automatically mean that they take over the management of your case.
Through Barristerly, the service offered is a focused One Hour Session. Any additional work is a separate instruction, agreed directly with the barrister.
When might I still need a solicitor?
A solicitor may be appropriate where you need ongoing case management, substantial evidence gathering or assistance with the procedural work involved in proceedings.
Public Access authorisation does not, by itself, authorise a barrister to conduct litigation. Some barristers hold that additional authorisation. Otherwise, responsibility for formal procedural steps generally remains with you or an instructed solicitor.
The barrister will consider whether the proposed arrangement meets your needs and explain if a solicitor’s involvement is necessary.
If you may qualify for legal aid, you should explore that option with a solicitor who undertakes legally aided work. Barristerly’s session is privately funded.
How Barristerly makes Direct Access straightforward
The Barristerly scheme offers one clear option:
One Hour Session — £396 including VAT
Your session includes:
a face-to-face video consultation of up to one hour with an experienced Public Access barrister;
focused advice about your position, options and possible next steps; and
a short next-steps note afterwards.
Book an available appointment online and provide a brief account of your problem. There is no advance document upload or document review.
The barrister checks for conflicts and suitability before accepting your instruction. Once accepted, the barrister or their chambers provides confirmation, client care terms and payment details. You pay the barrister or their chambers directly.
Your problem need not be simple. The purpose is to give you useful professional advice through a focused conversation.
View availability and book online
How it works · Frequently asked questions
Further information
The Bar Standards Board publishes Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients, explaining how the scheme operates and what clients should consider.
Barristerly is an independent booking and introduction service. Legal advice is provided by the independent barrister you instruct. Barristerly is not a firm of solicitors or a barristers’ chambers and does not itself provide legal advice.
Advice concerns the law of England and Wales.