Specialist expertise across family and civil law
Chambers has large and experienced Public Access teams in both civil law and family law. The areas of expertise covered include
Children matters
Court of Protection
Family Finance and Property
Landlord and Tenant (Residential and commercial)
Trusts of Land and co-ownership disputes
Wills and Probate
Other Civil Litigation
International Child Abduction
Domestic abuse
Instructing a Barrister under the Bar Council's Public Access scheme is straightforward and you can instruct a barrister from 3DJB on this basis in all the areas of law covered by Chambers.
Contact Us
Please submit your public access enquiry via our contact form.
What is Public Access?
Members of the public, businesses and companies may instruct barristers directly without using a solicitor or other intermediary - this is Public Access. The Bar Council has published guidance for members of the public wishing to instruct a barrister on this basis. The guidance sets out what barristers can do when carrying out Public Access work. Please click here for further information.
What are the advantages of Public Access?
Public Access is an efficient and cost-effective way of obtaining legal and advocacy services. Instructing a barrister from 3DJB on a Public Access basis may be appropriate in the following cases:
You do not want to commence court proceedings but you want to negotiate with your opponent or enter into mediation.
You need legal help and advice in court proceedings.
You want assistance with drafting court documents (such as statements of case or witness statements), letters or offers to settle.
You require legal representation in a court or tribunal.
You wish to appeal.
Who is Public Access suitable for?
You are computer literate, have access to a computer and a printer.
You are able to manage your own diary and commitments as well as court deadlines and administrative tasks, such as lodging bundles or applications.
You are confident, either alone or with support, that you can comply with directions of the court.
How much does Public Access cost?
Our fees are very competitive. Our barristers charge for their work either on a fixed fee basis or an hourly rate. You will be given an estimate of the likely fees. It is Chambers' policy that fees are paid prior to our barristers carrying out any work. These fees are not treated as money on account and will remain payable even if your case does not go ahead.
The amount to be charged for any piece of work and the timing of payment will be defined in writing between you and the barrister before they undertake the work. Work going beyond what was defined in the original client care letter (see below) will be the subject of an additional agreement – so at no stage will you become liable for fees which have not been agreed. You will receive fee note in respect of each payment made to the barrister.
Am I entitled to legal aid?
If you are entitled to legal aid you must think carefully about choosing to instruct a public access barrister. Legal aid should give you the right to instruct a solicitor to manage your case and a barrister to conduct in court advocacy and advice in conference. A public access barrister cannot be paid through legal aid.
You are free to instruct a public access barrister even of you are entitled to legal aid but me be asked to sign a document which confirms that you understand the choice you are making.
How do I instruct a barrister from 3DJB on a Public Access basis?
Any professional, licensed access and/or lay client may make an enquiry to obtain a quotation for legal services.
You may approach any member of Chambers who undertakes Public Access work directly by letter or email. Alternatively, please fill in and email our public access proforma to clerks@3djb.co.uk and the clerks will be happy to suggest an alternative barrister or barristers to you.
Instructing the barrister
Once you are in touch with a barrister, you will discuss with them what work you require. The barrister may be obliged to obtain proof of your identity (that is, your name, date of birth and current address), under the requirements of the anti-money-laundering legislation. After discussion with you, the barrister will set out clearly in a 'client care letter' the work they will undertake and the fee chargeable.
Until you have agreed to the terms of that letter you have not instructed the barrister and have not incurred any expense. When the terms are agreed, they form your instructions to the barrister. The clerks will send you a letter confirming that the instructions have been entered into Chambers' administrative system and inform you of the case reference number allocated to your matter.
What is Licensed Access?
Licensed Access (as opposed to Public Access) enables organisations and individuals with the appropriate experience and expertise to approach a barrister direct. Organisations or individuals that have an identifiable area of expertise or experience can apply to the Bar Standards Board to be licensed to instruct barristers directly. The licence holder can instruct any member of the Bar to provide advice and, in some circumstances, representation, in the specialist area. Please visit the Bar Council website for further details.
Timescales
Generally timescales for work will be dependent on the volume of papers and the complexity of the matter for which you wish to instruct a Barrister. We determine this on a case by case basis. It is essential to abide by filing deadlines and listed Court hearings, therefore you will need to ensure that you make your enquiry in good time so that your chosen barrister can assess how long they need to do the work required.
Why Choose 3DJB?
Our Public Access barristers are highly experienced practitioners, some of whom sit as judges in the family court.
We understand how daunting it can be to conduct your case as a litigant in person. We do everything we can to support you through the process. We can assist you with preparing e bundles and be on hand to guide you through each stage of your case.
You will find us warm and approachable and in very safe hands.
