Public Access

Legal Advice. Directly From a Barrister.

Public Access, sometimes called Direct Access, allows members of the public to instruct an appropriately qualified barrister directly, without first having to instruct a solicitor.

Depending on your case, a Public Access barrister may be able to advise you on your legal position, draft legal documents, negotiate on your behalf and represent you before a court or tribunal. Only barristers who have completed the required Public Access training and are registered to undertake this work may accept Public Access instructions.

At Holborn Chambers, our clerking team can help you identify whether your matter may be suitable for Public Access and which appropriately qualified barrister may be able to assist.

What Is Public Access?

A Direct Route to Specialist Legal Support

Traditionally, a member of the public would instruct a solicitor, who would then instruct a barrister.  Under the Public Access scheme, you may be able to approach and instruct a barrister directly.

This can be useful where you are comfortable managing parts of your case yourself and require specialist legal advice, drafting or advocacy without necessarily needing a solicitor to manage the whole matter.

Public Access will not be suitable for every case. Before accepting instructions, the barrister will consider whether it is appropriate for you to proceed without a solicitor.

How Public Access Works

Contact Chambers

Call our clerking team on 020 7242 6060 or email clerks@holbornchambers.co.uk. Please provide a brief explanation of your legal issue together with details of any upcoming hearing, deadline or urgent matter.

Suitability Review

Our clerks will identify an appropriately qualified Public Access barrister. The barrister will consider whether your case is suitable to be dealt with through Public Access and whether they are able to assist.

Scope of Work & Fees

If the barrister is able to take your case, you will be told what work they can undertake, what you may need to deal with yourself, the likely timescale and the proposed fee.

Client Care Letter

Before work begins, you will receive written terms explaining the work agreed, the barrister’s role, the fee arrangements and other important information. Holborn’s current terms also confirm that Public Access clients must review and agree the applicable terms before work begins.

Work Begins

Once the scope of work and fee arrangements have been agreed, your barrister can begin working on your case.

Fees & Quotations

Clear Information Before Work Begins

The cost of instructing a barrister will depend on the nature of the work required.

Factors that may affect the fee include the barrister’s experience and seniority, the complexity of the case, the amount of preparation required, the urgency of the matter and the length or number of hearings.

Before work begins, you will be provided with information about the proposed fee and the scope of work covered.

The BSB’s Transparency Rules require chambers undertaking Public Access work to publish their commonly used pricing models and, for certain specified services, indicative fees, likely additional costs, key stages and indicative timescales.

Price & Service Transparency

I would make this a separate internal page or downloadable section once Chambers confirms its actual charging models.

Legal Aid

Could You Be Eligible for Legal Aid?

Public Access work is generally privately funded. Legal aid cannot be used to pay a barrister whom you instruct directly through the Public Access scheme.

If you may qualify for legal aid, it is important to consider this before deciding to proceed privately.

The Government provides an online service where you can check whether your type of legal problem may qualify and whether your financial circumstances meet the relevant criteria.

Check if you can get legal aid

Useful Independent Information

Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients

The Bar Standards Board publishes guidance explaining how Public Access works, the role of the barrister and the responsibilities that may remain with you as the client.

Read the BSB Public Access Guidance

Barristers’ Register

The Barristers’ Register allows you to check whether a barrister is authorised to practise, their current practising status, the reserved legal activities they are authorised to undertake and relevant disciplinary findings recorded by the BSB.

Search the Barristers’ Register

Legal Ombudsman

If you are unhappy with the service provided, you should normally raise the matter with the barrister or Chambers first. If the complaint cannot be resolved, the Legal Ombudsman may be able to consider it.

Visit the Legal Ombudsman

Accessibility & Reasonable Adjustments

Making Our Services Accessible

Holborn Chambers is committed to providing an accessible service.

If you have a disability, communication requirement or another accessibility need, please let our clerking team know when you contact Chambers so that appropriate reasonable adjustments can be discussed.

Telephone: 020 7242 6060
 Email: clerks@holbornchambers.co.uk

Further Sources of Support & Advice

There are also independent organisations that may be able to provide free legal advice, practical assistance or other support:

Advocate

the pro bono charity of the Bar, formerly known as the Bar Pro Bono Unit. It helps people who cannot afford legal assistance apply for free help from barristers. Telephone: 020 4518 6141; the telephone service is voicemail-only.

Citizens Advice

free, independent advice on a broad range of legal and practical problems. Adviceline in England: 0800 144 8848.

Law Centres Network

helps people find local Law Centres providing legal assistance, particularly for those who may otherwise struggle to access legal services.

LawWorks

provides a searchable directory of free legal advice clinics across England and Wales. Availability and eligibility depend on the individual clinic.

Support Through Court

offers free practical, procedural and emotional support to people dealing with civil or family court proceedings without a lawyer. It does not provide legal advice. National Helpline: 0300 081 0006.

MoneyHelper

government-backed, free and impartial guidance on money, debt and financial matters. Telephone: 0800 011 3797.

Samaritans

confidential emotional support for anyone who wants to talk. Call 116 123, free, at any time of day or night.

AdviceUK

a national network supporting independent advice organisations. AdviceUK itself does not provide advice directly to members of the public, but its network includes organisations covering areas such as debt, housing, welfare and legal problems.

Ready to Discuss Your Case?

Speak to Our Clerking Team

If you would like to know whether your matter may be suitable for Public Access, please contact our clerking team.

When contacting Chambers, it is helpful to provide a short summary of your legal issue, details of any upcoming hearing or deadline, and an indication of the assistance you are looking for.