What Direct Access Barristers Can Do

✅ Provide expert legal advice
Receive clear, specialist advice on your legal position, rights, and available options.

✅ Draft legal documents
Barristers can prepare pleadings, skeleton arguments, contracts, statements of case, and letters before action.

✅ Represent you in court or tribunal
Barristers can act as your advocate in hearings, trials, appeals, arbitrations, and tribunals.

✅ Advise on evidence and procedure
Get guidance on what evidence is required, how to present your case, and how the legal process works.

✅ Negotiate on your behalf
Barristers can assist with settlement negotiations and dispute resolution.

✅ Offer specialist expertise
Many barristers focus on specific areas such as family law, employment, commercial disputes, property, clinical negligence, personal injury, and more.

What Direct Access Barristers Generally Cannot Do

⚖️ Conduct litigation (unless authorised)
Most barristers cannot manage court filings, ongoing correspondence, or case administration unless they hold a litigation extension.

⚖️ Act as a solicitor
They usually won’t handle day-to-day case management or chase paperwork from the other side.

⚖️ Hold client funds
Barristers cannot hold money to pay court fees or expert costs. These are typically paid directly by you.

When a Direct Access Barrister Is Right for You

• When you want specialist legal advice without paying for a full solicitor-led service

• If you’re representing yourself but need a professional advocate for a hearing

• When you want cost-effective legal support and only pay for the help you actually need