PUBLIC AND DIRECT ACCESS BARRISTERS
Historically, the Bar was a referral profession, meaning we could only accept instructions from a professional-client such as a solicitor. However, a liberalisation of the legal services market means that barristers can now accept instructions from clients directly under the Public Access Scheme. Details can be found, here.
Many companies, business owners, and members of the public have found the Public Access Scheme to be an easy and cost-effective way of obtaining legal advice, and Chambers of GD Tetteh has specially trained barristers and practice managers who can assist you through the process.
Instructing a barrister under the Public Access Scheme can save you money (as you are only paying for one lawyer), it allows you to have complete control over your choice of specialist adviser, and gives you a direct line of communication with them.
Not all cases are suitable for the Public Access Scheme, and not all barristers are qualified to accept instructions in this way, but more information appears below, and we will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
PUBLIC ACCESS SCHEME QUALIFIED BARRISTERS CAN DO:
- provide you with expert advice on your legal status and rights, and advice on the merits and potential outcomes of your case;
- do everything your case requires!
- represent you in court, or at a tribunal or a mediation;
- negotiate on your behalf, and accompany you to an investigative interview or hearing where appropriate;
- assist you with drafting correspondence;
- help to draft witness statements;
- draft formal court documents;
- advise you on suitable expert witnesses and draft instructions to them;
- offer you advice on the next steps to be taken in proceedings, and;
- generally, assist you in trying to resolve your case.
PUBLIC ACCESS SCHEME QUALIFIED BARRISTERS CAN NOT DO:
The Scheme does not fundamentally change the role of a barrister as a specialist adviser, and so there are limits on what we can do for you. We will need to be satisfied that you can undertake certain tasks yourself, albeit with our guidance. In certain cases and situations, we may also feel that it is in your best interests to instruct a solicitor to assist, and we will be happy to recommend suitable options.
Tasks we cannot undertake ourselves include:
- filing documents (such as expert reports, case summaries and witness statements) with a court;
- contacting witnesses and collecting or investigating evidence;
- instructing an expert witness on your behalf;
- pay court or expert fees on your behalf;
- corresponding with the other side and the court on your behalf.
If you feel you would have difficulty in completing such tasks, we will still be happy to recommend a solicitor to you.
FUNDING YOUR CASE
We accept Public Access instructions on a privately funded basis only, and our policy is to take payment in advance of counsel undertaking any work. We accept funds by bank transfer or by credit/debit card. The cost of instructing a barrister at Chambers of GD Tetteh will depend on the complexity of your case, the seniority of counsel, the amount of work involved, and the urgency of the work. The quotes will either be on an hourly rate or fixed fee (brief fee/ refresher) basis, subject to what is most appropriate for the case and cost-effective. On completion of the below form, our practice managers will be in touch to advise further, however, some estimated costs in particular practice areas can be found below
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately we are not permitted to accept Public Access Scheme cases on a Legal Aid basis, nor are we able to assist you in determining whether or not you are eligible for Legal Aid.
If you think you may be eligible for Legal Aid then you may wish to visit the website of the Ministry of Justice which offers a Legal Aid Eligibility Calculator; this can be accessed by clicking here. However, a solicitor will provide you with the best advice on whether or not you are eligible for Legal Aid, and we will be pleased to offer suggestions on suitable advisors.
Even if you are eligible for Legal Aid, you can still choose to instruct a barrister privately, using your own funds, under the Public Access Scheme if you prefer. Our practise managers will explain the implications of instructing a barrister privately, and the likely costs you will incur.
We are always happy to accept Legal Aid cases on instructions from a solicitor. Indeed, on many occasions, we have provided initial advice under the Public Access Scheme, but for reasons of complexity or otherwise, a need arose for a solicitor to be instructed; we have undertaken further work on such cases funded by Legal Aid after those solicitors assisted clients in making a successful application.
WHAT NEXT?
If you are interested in instructing one of our Public Access Scheme qualified barristers, please fill in a short online form available via the “Tell Us About Your Case” button which appears below, and this will help us assess how best we can help. The form will be reviewed by our practice managers in the first instance, who may need to contact you asking for some further information. We will aim to respond to your enquiry within 2 working days.
You can also meet our Public Access Scheme qualified barristers using the filter below, which also allows you to search by practice area depending on the type of law with which you need assistance.
Please call us if you want more information on the Public Access Scheme, or click here for a guidance note prepared by the Bar Standards Board which regulates barristers.
PUBLIC ACCESS – PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS
We are unable to accept public access instructions on a conditional fee (‘no win, no fee’) basis.
All fees below are estimated with VAT exclusive where applicable.
| Initial conference | 2 – 3 hours | £150 – 600 per hour |
| Written advice on claim | 4 hours | £150 – 600 per hour |
| Drafting statement of the case | 3 hours | £150 – 600 per hour |
| Trial – claim not more than £3,000 | 1 day | £500 – 2,000 Brief fee |
| Trial – claim more than £3,000, but not more than £9,999 | 1 day | £700 – 2,250 Brief fee |
| Trial – claim more than £10,000, but not more than £14,999 | 1 day | £1,070 – 2,500 Brief fee |
| Trial – claim more than £15,000, but not more than £25,000 | 1 day | £1,705 – 3,000 Brief fee |
PUBLIC ACCESS – EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL
The estimated fees below exclude VAT where applicable and are rated either hourly or fixed fee (brief fee/ refresher), subject to what is most appropriate for the case.
The hourly rates range from £150-600. Below are fixed fees:
| Initial conference | £500 – 2,500 |
| Written advice on your claim | £1,000 – 3,000 |
| Preparation of case, including assistance with drafting tribunal documents | £1,000 – 3,500 |
| Preliminary hearing | £750 – 2,500 |
| Tribunal hearing | £1,500 – 15,000 Brief fee |
| Refresher | £750 – 2,500 |
| Remedy hearing | £750 – 2,500 |
PUBLIC ACCESS – IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL (FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL)
The fees below are estimates only and exclude VAT where applicable. We quote on either an hourly rate or fixed fee (brief fee/ refresher) basis, subject to what is most appropriate for the case. Hourly rates range from £150-600. Examples of fixed fees are below:
| Initial conference | £300 – 1,500 |
| Written advice on appeal | £400 – 2,500 |
| Preparation of appeal, including assistance with completion of forms | £500 – 3,000 |
| CMRH / Directions | £600 – 5,000 |
| Tribunal hearing | £750 – 10,000 |
| Refresher | £500 – 2,500 |
SUMMARY ONLY MOTORING OFFENCES (ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION FOR DEFENDANTS)
The following is a guide on our barristers’ hourly rates. The rates can vary according to the seniority of the barrister, the complexity of the matter, and any urgency behind the case.
- Under 5 years experience: £100 – £200 per hour + VAT
- 5-10 years experience: £200 – £300 per hour + VAT
- 10-15 years experience: £300 – £400 per hour + VAT
- Over 15 years experience: £400 – £450 per hour + VAT
- Queen’s Counsel (Silk): from £500 + per hour + VAT
You may be charged a fixed fee for a barrister to attend and represent you in court. Fees are referred to as a ‘brief fee’ and ‘refreshers’. The brief fee consists of preparation and the first day in court. Refreshers refer to subsequent days for the same hearing. A list of hours that the barrister has worked can be provided in writing if required.
Examples of how a fixed fee is calculated:
Under 5 years experience – £1000 brief fee, £500 refresher
5-10 years experience – £2000 brief fee, £750 refresher
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