How Barristerly Works

Barristerly makes it easier to obtain focused legal advice from an independent Public Access barrister.

You tell us about your case, a potentially suitable barrister considers whether the instruction can be accepted, and—if it is accepted—you receive an online consultation and a short written summary for a fixed fee.

The fixed-fee package

The fee is £690, including VAT.

The package includes up to two hours of the barrister’s time in total, comprising:

  • advance consideration of the information and supporting documents you provide;

  • an online consultation of up to 60 minutes; and

  • a short written summary of the principal advice and recommended next steps.

Up to one further hour is divided between preparation and producing the written summary at the barrister’s professional discretion.

The precise scope of the work will be confirmed in the barrister’s client care letter.

A focused, limited-scope service

The package provides professional legal advice on the particular questions accepted by the barrister. It is based on the information and limited supporting documents supplied.

It is not intended to provide:

  • a comprehensive opinion on every issue arising from a complex matter;

  • a review of an entire case or litigation file;

  • extensive factual investigation or legal research;

  • substantial drafting work;

  • the conduct of litigation;

  • preparation for a court or tribunal hearing; or

  • representation at a hearing.

A focused question may involve difficult or complex law. The relevant consideration is whether the barrister can consider the defined issue properly and provide reliable advice within the time available.

The barrister may ask you to narrow your questions or documents, decline the request or offer separate terms for additional work. The barrister is not required to offer additional work.

1. Tell us about your case

Complete the online booking form and explain:

  • what has happened;

  • who the relevant parties are;

  • the principal questions you would like answered;

  • what outcome you hope to achieve;

  • whether proceedings are involved;

  • whether you have a solicitor or other legal representative; and

  • whether there are any hearings or deadlines.

You will also be asked for the full names of the other parties and any legal representatives involved. This information is required so that the barrister can undertake professional conflict checks.

Please provide complete and accurate information. Missing or inaccurate information may prevent the instruction from being accepted.

2. Provide the principal documents

You may upload the documents most relevant to the questions on which you require advice.

Ordinarily, the supporting documents should not exceed 20 pages in total, unless otherwise agreed.

The service is intended for a limited and carefully selected set of documents rather than an entire case file. Important documents might include:

  • a contract or agreement;

  • significant correspondence;

  • a claim form, defence or application;

  • a court or tribunal order;

  • a will, trust deed or title document; or

  • another document central to the issue.

Falling within the 20-page limit does not automatically mean that the matter is suitable. A small number of technical or complex documents may still require more time than the package allows.

3 Book a provisional appointment

You may select an available appointment through the booking process.

The requested appointment is provisional. It is not confirmed merely because you have submitted the form or selected a date and time.

4. Conflict, suitability and availability checks

Your information will be provided to a potentially suitable participating barrister so that they can consider:

  • whether any professional conflict of interest exists;

  • whether the matter falls within their expertise;

  • whether it is suitable for Public Access;

  • whether focused advice can be given within the package;

  • whether they have sufficient time to consider the material properly; and

  • whether they are available for the requested appointment.

Every barrister retains complete professional discretion to accept or decline an instruction.

Submitting a booking request does not create a barrister–client relationship and does not require any barrister to accept your case.

5. The barrister confirms the instruction

If the barrister is willing to accept your instruction, they will contact you directly.

The barrister will send you:

  • a client care letter;

  • confirmation of the questions and work they have agreed to undertake;

  • details of anything excluded from the instruction;

  • the appointment arrangements; and

  • a fee note for £690, including VAT.

You should read the client care letter carefully. It will define the precise scope of the barrister’s work and explain the applicable payment, cancellation, complaints and regulatory arrangements.

6. You pay the barrister directly

Payment is made directly to the barrister in accordance with the payment details and timescale set out in the fee note.

Barristerly does not receive or hold your payment and does not operate a client account.

Barristerly receives an agency commission from the participating barrister. You do not pay a separate fee to Barristerly, and the commission does not increase the advertised price.

7. The barrister prepares for the consultation

The barrister will consider the agreed information and supporting documents in advance.

Up to one hour is available for preparation and producing the short written summary. The barrister will decide how to divide that time according to the needs of the matter and their professional judgment.

You should identify your most important questions and provide only the documents central to them. The barrister is not undertaking a general investigation of your case or agreeing to identify every issue that might arise from the material.

8. Attend your online consultation

The consultation takes place online and may last up to 60 minutes.

During the consultation, the barrister may:

  • clarify the relevant facts;

  • explain the applicable legal principles;

  • assess the strengths and weaknesses of your position;

  • answer the accepted questions;

  • identify risks or missing information; and

  • discuss possible options and next steps.

The advice may necessarily be qualified if important information or documents are unavailable, disputed or incomplete.

9. Receive a short written summary

After the consultation, the barrister will provide a short written summary of the principal advice and recommended next steps.

The summary is not a detailed formal written opinion or a complete record of everything discussed. It is intended to help you understand and act upon the main points arising from the consultation.

The expected delivery time will be confirmed by the barrister. Ordinarily, the summary will be provided within 24–48 hours of the consultation.

10. Decide what to do next

What happens next is up to you.

You may decide to:

  • take no further action;

  • communicate or negotiate with the other party;

  • obtain additional evidence or documents;

  • instruct a solicitor;

  • bring or defend proceedings;

  • seek further advice; or

  • ask the barrister whether they are willing to undertake additional work.

Any additional work falls outside the £690 package. The barrister may accept or decline it, and its scope, fee and timescale must be agreed separately.

Barristerly does not receive commission from additional work arranged directly between you and the barrister.

Important information about deadlines

Submitting a booking request does not stop a limitation period, extend a court or tribunal deadline or transfer responsibility for your case to Barristerly or a barrister.

Unless and until a barrister expressly accepts responsibility in writing, you remain responsible for:

  • complying with court and tribunal orders;

  • observing limitation and appeal periods;

  • attending hearings; and

  • taking any necessary protective action.

Barristerly cannot guarantee that an urgent instruction will be accepted or that a barrister will be available before a particular deadline.

Tell us about your case → The barrister checks conflicts and suitability → Receive focused advice for £690, including VAT