Members of the public and companies can instruct barristers directly for legal advice and representation without first going through a solicitor. This is known as Public Access or Direct Access.
Introduced in 2004, the scheme enables clients to work directly with an expert barrister who, in appropriate cases, can handle a matter from start to finish. This can streamline the legal process and result in significant cost savings, all the while maintaining the highest levels of service and legal expertise.
5KBW has a first-class Public Access team. Many of our members are qualified under the Bar Standards Board’s Public Access scheme to accept instructions directly from individuals, businesses, and public bodies across a wide range of criminal matters, including some of the most serious types of crime.
Our barristers can assist with:
In each case, our barristers will provide honest and practical guidance. If we feel your case would benefit from the involvement of a solicitor, we will advise you accordingly and help you to identify and instruct a suitable firm or individual with expertise in the relevant area of law and with which chambers has experience of working.
If you wish to enquire about instructing us directly, please contact our clerking team. They may ask you to complete a simple enquiry form to assess the nature of your case and determine the most appropriate choice of barrister.
Once we have reviewed your enquiry, we will:
In some instances, a preliminary meeting may be required before formally accepting the case.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) Handbook sets out the conditions under which a barrister may act under the Public Access scheme. More information can be found on the Bar Standards Board website.
Additionally, anti-money laundering regulations require us to verify your identity and the source of the funds you will use to meet legal expenses. If we are able to assist, we will provide details of any documentation required.
If you would like to explore whether Public Access is the right option for your legal needs, please contact us today to discuss how we can assist you.
