We know that cost is one of the first things you need to understand before making any decisions about legal help. It is a completely reasonable thing to want to know, and we think you deserve a straight answer rather than vague reassurances.
Barrister fees vary depending on the type of work, the length of any hearing, the complexity of your case, and the seniority of the barrister required. We cannot give you an exact figure before we understand your situation. What we can do is give you clear indicative ranges for the most common types of work we handle, so you can start to understand what you are likely to be looking at.
The figures on this page are genuine estimates based on real work. They are not artificially low starting points designed to get you through the door.
Four main factors determine how much a barrister costs. Understanding them will help you make sense of the fee ranges on this page.
Hearing length
The single biggest driver of cost. A one-hour interim hearing requires far less preparation and court time than a three-day final hearing.
Case complexity
A straightforward hearing where both parties broadly agree is a different task from a contested hearing involving serious allegations or high-value assets.
Barrister seniority
More experienced barristers typically charge more. For interim hearings a junior barrister may be the right fit. For complex finals, a senior practitioner may be worth the additional cost.
Type of work
Advisory work — such as a written opinion or an online consultation — is priced differently from court representation. Both are covered in the fee tables below.
The figures below are indicative fee ranges for family law advice and representation. They are based on real work and are intended to give you a clear sense of what to expect before you get in touch. Every case is different, and your actual quote will depend on the specific circumstances and complexity of your matter. All fees are quoted exclusive of VAT.
Online consultation with a barrister
£250 + VAT – £450 + VATThis fee includes
Drafting a position statement
£300 + VAT – £500 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a one hour hearing
£850 + VAT – £1,250 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a two hour hearing
£1,250 + VAT – £1,600 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a full day hearing
£1,500 + VAT – £2,500 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a two day hearing
£3,000 + VAT – £6,000 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a three day hearing
£3,750 + VAT – £7,200 + VATThis fee includes
All fees are indicative and quoted exclusive of VAT. Final fees are subject to the complexity of your case and the availability of suitably experienced barristers for your hearing date. Once a quote is agreed it will not change unless the scope of work changes.
The figures below are indicative fee ranges for employment law advice and tribunal representation. They are based on real work and are intended to give you a clear sense of what to expect before you get in touch. Every case is different, and your actual quote will depend on the specific circumstances and complexity of your matter. All fees are quoted exclusive of VAT.
Online consultation with a barrister
(before any tribunal claim is filed)
This fee includes
Advice on draft settlement agreement
£250 + VAT – £1,250 + VATSubject to the employer's contribution to legal fees.
This fee includes
Online consultation with a barrister
(with an ongoing tribunal claim)
This fee includes
Written opinion on the prospects of your claim
£750 + VAT – £2,500 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a one hour hearing
£750 + VAT – £1,250 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a two hour hearing
£1,250 + VAT – £1,600 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a one day hearing
£1,500 + VAT – £2,500 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a two day hearing
£3,000 + VAT – £6,000 + VATThis fee includes
Representation at a three day hearing
£3,750 + VAT – £7,200 + VATThis fee includes
All fees are indicative and quoted exclusive of VAT. Final fees are subject to the complexity of your case and the availability of suitably experienced barristers for your hearing date. Once a quote is agreed it will not change unless the scope of work changes.
For property, commercial, wills and probate, money claims, and motoring matters, the best way to get an accurate picture of costs is to speak to us directly. Every case in these areas comes with its own set of variables, and we want to give you a genuinely useful figure rather than a range that may not reflect what your matter actually involves. Get in touch and we will come back to you with a clear, fixed quote, usually within one working day.
It is not possible to use Legal Aid funding to instruct a direct access barrister. If you wish to rely on Legal Aid to fund your case, you will need to instruct a solicitor who has a contract with the Legal Aid Agency. If you want to find out whether you qualify for legal aid, you can check your eligibility on the official government website.
Unfortunately we tend not to be able to work with clients who hold legal expenses insurance (LEI). If you have LEI cover and wish to use it, you will need to instruct a solicitor through your insurer’s panel.
We do not offer no-win-no-fee arrangements as a standard service. If you are concerned about the cost of legal representation, speak to our team about what options may be available to you.
Yes. We offer Klarna as a payment option, which means you can spread the cost of your legal fees into monthly payments rather than paying the full amount upfront. If the total fee feels like a barrier to getting the representation you need, Klarna may allow you to get started without having to find the full sum immediately.
We also offer a secure online payment platform for single payments if you prefer to pay in full.
Once a quote is agreed, the price does not change unless the scope of the work changes. If your hearing overruns significantly, or if additional work is required beyond what was originally agreed, we will discuss any revised costs with you before proceeding.
In most cases we can provide a quote within one working day of receiving your enquiry. If you have a court hearing coming up soon, please let us know when you get in touch and we will prioritise your enquiry.
