Looking for a direct access barrister in Bristol?
You may not need to instruct a solicitor before speaking to a barrister.
Through the Public Access scheme, members of the public can, where appropriate, instruct an authorised barrister directly for specialist legal advice, drafting and representation.At Direct Access Barristers, we help individuals, families and businesses find suitable Public Access barristers for matters in Bristol and across the South West.Whether you need a family barrister for a financial remedy hearing, advice about children proceedings, a civil barrister for a property or contractual dispute, or specialist advocacy at court or tribunal, we can help identify suitable counsel for your case.
Need a Barrister in Bristol?
Tell us briefly about your case, the court or tribunal involved and what you need help with.
Tell us briefly about your case, the court or tribunal involved and what you need help with.
Why Instruct a Direct Access Barristers?
Traditionally, someone needing a barrister would first instruct a solicitor, who would then instruct counsel on their behalf.
That is not always necessary.
If your case is suitable for Public Access, you can deal directly with the barrister. This can be particularly useful if you already understand your case and documents but need specialist legal advice or advocacy for a particular stage of the proceedings.
You may need a barrister to:
- Advise you on the strengths and weaknesses of your case
- Prepare for an upcoming hearing
- Draft legal documents
- Provide a written legal opinion
- Negotiate or advise on settlement
- Represent you at a hearing
- Advise you before deciding whether to issue proceedings
The important point is that Public Access is not suitable for every case. A barrister should assess your circumstances and explain what they can and cannot do for you.
Traditionally, someone needing a barrister would first instruct a solicitor, who would then instruct counsel on their behalf.
That is not always necessary.
If your case is suitable for Public Access, you can deal directly with the barrister. This can be particularly useful if you already understand your case and documents but need specialist legal advice or advocacy for a particular stage of the proceedings.
You may need a barrister to:
- Advise you on the strengths and weaknesses of your case
- Prepare for an upcoming hearing
- Draft legal documents
- Provide a written legal opinion
- Negotiate or advise on settlement
- Represent you at a hearing
- Advise you before deciding whether to issue proceedings
The important point is that Public Access is not suitable for every case. A barrister should assess your circumstances and explain what they can and cannot do for you.
Family Direct Access Barrister Bristol
Specialist Family Law Advice & Advocacy
Family proceedings can be financially and emotionally demanding.
If you are dealing with a dispute concerning children, finances or property following separation or divorce, having specialist barrister advice can make a significant difference.
A direct access family barrister may be able to assist at a particular stage of your case without you having to instruct a solicitor for the entire matter.
Family proceedings can be financially and emotionally demanding.
If you are dealing with a dispute concerning children, finances or property following separation or divorce, having specialist barrister advice can make a significant difference.
A direct access family barrister may be able to assist at a particular stage of your case without you having to instruct a solicitor for the entire matter.
Family matters we can help with
Financial Remedy
Advice and representation concerning the financial consequences of divorce or separation, including property, pensions, businesses, investments and other assets.
Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR)
Specialist advice and advocacy for an FDR where appropriate.
Children Proceedings
Advice and representation concerning child arrangements and disputes about where children should live or spend time.
Prohibited Steps Orders
Advice concerning applications seeking to prevent a particular action involving a child.
Specific Issue Orders
Advice concerning specific disagreements about a child's upbringing.
Relocation
Specialist advice where one parent wishes to relocate with a child within the UK or overseas.
Schedule 1 Claims
Advice concerning financial provision for children where appropriate.
Financial Remedy
Advice and representation concerning the financial consequences of divorce or separation, including property, pensions, businesses, investments and other assets.
Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR)
Specialist advice and advocacy for an FDR where appropriate.
Children Proceedings
Advice and representation concerning child arrangements and disputes about where children should live or spend time.
Prohibited Steps Orders
Advice concerning applications seeking to prevent a particular action involving a child.
Specific Issue Orders
Advice concerning specific disagreements about a child's upbringing.
Relocation
Specialist advice where one parent wishes to relocate with a child within the UK or overseas.
Schedule 1 Claims
Advice concerning financial provision for children where appropriate.
Need a Family Barrister in Bristol?
If you have a hearing approaching, need advice about your position or want specialist advocacy, tell us what is happening and what you need the barrister to do.
Direct Access Barrister for Civil Cases in Bristol
Civil Litigation Without the Need for a Solicitor in Every Case
Public Access can also be appropriate for certain civil disputes.
Our enquiries may include:
Public Access can also be appropriate for certain civil disputes.
Our enquiries may include:
Property Disputes
Including:
- TOLATA claims
- Beneficial interest disputes
- Co-ownership disputes
- Possession proceedings
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Lease disputes
- Property-related contractual disputes
Including:
- TOLATA claims
- Beneficial interest disputes
- Co-ownership disputes
- Possession proceedings
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Lease disputes
- Property-related contractual disputes
Contract & Commercial Disputes
Including:
- Breach of contract
- Debt disputes
- Partnership disputes
- Shareholder disputes
- Supply disputes
- Commercial contract disputes
Including:
- Breach of contract
- Debt disputes
- Partnership disputes
- Shareholder disputes
- Supply disputes
- Commercial contract disputes
Construction Disputes
Specialist counsel may also be required for construction and Technology and Construction Court matters, including disputes involving JCT, NEC and other construction contracts.
Depending on the case, counsel may assist with advice, adjudication-related work, drafting or advocacy.
Barristers for Bristol Courts & Tribunals
Bristol is an important legal centre for the South West.
Depending on the nature of your case, proceedings may take place at the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre, the Bristol District Registry of the High Court, the Family Court or relevant tribunal venues.
We can assist with enquiries involving:
- Family Court
- County Court
- High Court
- Technology and Construction Court
- Employment Tribunal
- First-tier Tribunal
- Other relevant South West courts and tribunals
If your case is outside Bristol, that does not necessarily prevent you from instructing a barrister through Public Access.
We also receive enquiries from clients across Bath, Gloucester, Swindon, Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and South Wales.
Bristol is an important legal centre for the South West.
Depending on the nature of your case, proceedings may take place at the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre, the Bristol District Registry of the High Court, the Family Court or relevant tribunal venues.
We can assist with enquiries involving:
- Family Court
- County Court
- High Court
- Technology and Construction Court
- Employment Tribunal
- First-tier Tribunal
- Other relevant South West courts and tribunals
If your case is outside Bristol, that does not necessarily prevent you from instructing a barrister through Public Access.
We also receive enquiries from clients across Bath, Gloucester, Swindon, Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and South Wales.
Other Direct Access Legal Services
Although family and civil work are major areas of enquiry, Public Access barristers may also assist with a wide range of specialist matters.
Depending on the barrister's expertise and authorisation, this can include:
- Employment disputes
- Unfair dismissal
- Discrimination
- TUPE
- Immigration and asylum appeals
- Tax disputes
- Judicial review
- Commercial litigation
- Property litigation
- Construction disputes
- Professional negligence
- Contract disputes
- Tribunal advocacy
If you are unsure whether your case is suitable for Public Access, ask us. We can consider the nature of the work and identify the appropriate route.
How Does Direct Access Work?
1. Tell Us About Your Case
Send us a short summary explaining what has happened, what type of case you have and what you need the barrister to do.
If you have a court or tribunal hearing coming up, include the date.
Send us a short summary explaining what has happened, what type of case you have and what you need the barrister to do.
If you have a court or tribunal hearing coming up, include the date.
2. We Identify Suitable Counsel
We consider the nature of your case and the specialist expertise required before identifying suitable Public Access counsel.
Availability and suitability are considered alongside the type of work required.
We consider the nature of your case and the specialist expertise required before identifying suitable Public Access counsel.
Availability and suitability are considered alongside the type of work required.
3. You Receive the Details
The barrister will explain the proposed work, fees, timescale and what you will be responsible for.
The barrister will explain the proposed work, fees, timescale and what you will be responsible for.
4. The Barrister Starts Work
Once the necessary Public Access and client-care arrangements are in place, the barrister can begin the agreed work.
Do I Need a Solicitor?
Not necessarily — but it depends on your case.
This is one of the most important questions to consider before choosing Public Access.
A direct access barrister can provide specialist advice and advocacy, but they may not be able to undertake every aspect of litigation or case management.
For example, a solicitor may be more appropriate where your case involves extensive disclosure, multiple parties, substantial ongoing correspondence or complex litigation management.
A good Public Access barrister should tell you if your case would be better handled with a solicitor involved.
The objective is not simply to avoid using a solicitor.
The objective is to use the right legal professional for the work you actually need.
This is one of the most important questions to consider before choosing Public Access.
A direct access barrister can provide specialist advice and advocacy, but they may not be able to undertake every aspect of litigation or case management.
For example, a solicitor may be more appropriate where your case involves extensive disclosure, multiple parties, substantial ongoing correspondence or complex litigation management.
A good Public Access barrister should tell you if your case would be better handled with a solicitor involved.
The objective is not simply to avoid using a solicitor.
The objective is to use the right legal professional for the work you actually need.
How Much Does a Direct Access Barrister Cost?
There is no single price for a direct access barrister.
Fees depend on the type and complexity of the work, the barrister's experience, the documents involved and whether representation at a hearing is required.
For defined pieces of work, it may be possible to agree a fixed fee.
When making an enquiry, tell us exactly what you need help with. This allows the appropriate barrister to consider the scope of the work and the likely fee.
There is no single price for a direct access barrister.
Fees depend on the type and complexity of the work, the barrister's experience, the documents involved and whether representation at a hearing is required.
For defined pieces of work, it may be possible to agree a fixed fee.
When making an enquiry, tell us exactly what you need help with. This allows the appropriate barrister to consider the scope of the work and the likely fee.
Why Use Direct Access Barristers?
Finding the right barrister can be difficult if you do not already have contacts within the legal profession.
You may know that you need a barrister, but not know:
- Which area of expertise you need
- Which barristers accept Public Access instructions
- Whether your case is suitable for direct access
- How much the work is likely to cost
- Whether you need representation or simply legal advice
Our role is to make that process easier.
We help connect clients with suitable Public Access barristers in Bristol and across the South West, based on the nature of the case and the work required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I instruct a barrister directly in Bristol?
Yes, where the barrister is authorised to accept Public Access instructions and the case is suitable for the scheme.
Yes, where the barrister is authorised to accept Public Access instructions and the case is suitable for the scheme.
Can I have a direct access family barrister?
Yes. Public Access barristers may be instructed for appropriate family matters, including financial remedy and children cases.
Yes. Public Access barristers may be instructed for appropriate family matters, including financial remedy and children cases.
Can a direct access barrister represent me in Family Court?
A suitably authorised barrister may be able to represent you at court. The barrister will need to consider whether Public Access is appropriate for your particular case.
A suitably authorised barrister may be able to represent you at court. The barrister will need to consider whether Public Access is appropriate for your particular case.
Can I instruct a barrister without a solicitor?
Yes, this is the purpose of the Public Access scheme. However, a solicitor may still be necessary or advisable for some cases.
Yes, this is the purpose of the Public Access scheme. However, a solicitor may still be necessary or advisable for some cases.
Do direct access barristers deal with civil disputes?
Yes. Depending on the barrister's expertise and authorisation, Public Access may be available for appropriate property, contractual, commercial and other civil disputes.
Yes. Depending on the barrister's expertise and authorisation, Public Access may be available for appropriate property, contractual, commercial and other civil disputes.
Can I instruct a barrister for just one hearing?
In appropriate cases, yes. You may be able to instruct a barrister for a specific hearing or defined piece of work rather than for the entire case.
In appropriate cases, yes. You may be able to instruct a barrister for a specific hearing or defined piece of work rather than for the entire case.
Do you cover areas outside Bristol?
Yes. We can assist with enquiries across the wider South West, including Bath, Gloucester, Swindon, Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth and surrounding areas.
Yes. We can assist with enquiries across the wider South West, including Bath, Gloucester, Swindon, Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth and surrounding areas.
Need a Direct Access Barrister in Bristol?
Whether you are dealing with a family dispute, financial remedy application, children proceedings, property dispute, contractual claim, commercial matter or tribunal case, the first step is to establish what legal help you actually need.
You may not need a solicitor to manage your entire case.
You may simply need the right specialist barrister for the next stage.
Tell us about your case and we will help identify the appropriate route.
Whether you are dealing with a family dispute, financial remedy application, children proceedings, property dispute, contractual claim, commercial matter or tribunal case, the first step is to establish what legal help you actually need.
You may not need a solicitor to manage your entire case.
You may simply need the right specialist barrister for the next stage.
Tell us about your case and we will help identify the appropriate route.
Request a Direct Access Barrister
Contact Us
Getting expert legal advice in Bristol is just a call or email away. Reach out to Direct Access Barristers today:
