Half-day hearings are common in family and civil proceedings. They cover most of the substantive interim applications, many directions hearings in complex cases, and some shorter final hearings. Knowing what to expect in cost terms helps you plan and decide whether direct access is the right route for you.
This guide explains what a half-day hearing is, what a barrister typically charges and what is included in that fee.
A half-day hearing is one listed for up to about three hours. The court treats anything from one hour up to a half day as falling into this bracket. Specific examples include:
The court usually lists hearings as either one hour, half day or full day, with two-day and three-day listings for the most substantial matters.
For most half-day hearings, a direct access barrister will charge between £1,250 and £1,600 plus VAT. The range reflects:
This range is consistent with the indicative fees Barrister Connect publishes. The lower end is typical for junior counsel and simpler matters. The upper end reflects more experienced counsel and more demanding cases.
The standard half-day hearing fee usually covers:
The fee is fixed before any work begins. You will know what you are paying for, and the barrister will know what work to do.
The hearing fee typically does not include:
These items can be added to the engagement at a separate fixed fee where needed.
A bundle of 500 pages or more is genuinely longer to read than a typical bundle. If the bundle is substantially larger than indicated, the fee may need to be revised.
Cases with three or more parties (for example, applications involving extended family or third parties) are usually more complex and may be quoted slightly higher.
If the bundle includes detailed expert reports (forensic accountants, valuers, psychological reports), the time to absorb them is longer.
If you specifically want senior counsel (a KC or very experienced junior), the fee will be at the upper end or above.
A hearing conducted by video link does not require travel time. The fee is usually slightly lower.
A well-prepared bundle of moderate size with the key documents clearly indexed is faster to absorb than a chaotic 800-page one.
If you have already drafted a position statement (or written notes that the barrister can use as a starting point), that saves preparation time.
For most half-day hearings, junior counsel is appropriate and significantly less expensive. The matching team at Barrister Connect will identify the right level of seniority for your case.
The total cost of direct access for a half-day hearing depends on whether you also need additional work. A common combination is:
This usually still comes in lower than instructing a solicitor and barrister combination for the same case.
Direct access barristers usually require payment in advance. A typical arrangement is:
The deposit secures the booking and is typically non-refundable if you cancel close to the hearing date. The exact arrangements are set out in the client care letter you receive when you instruct.
Where the case settles before the hearing date, the barrister will usually have done some preparation. Most will refund or credit the unused portion of the fee, less the time already spent on preparation. The specific terms are set out in the engagement letter.
Yes. Barristers are VAT-registered and charge VAT at the standard rate (currently 20%) on top of the quoted fee.
Not usually with direct access. The standard arrangement is a fixed fee agreed in advance so you know exactly what you are paying.
The fee is for the hearing length the court has listed it for, not for time actually spent. If the hearing finishes early, you are not refunded part of the fee. By the same token, if the hearing overruns, you are not charged extra (subject to the engagement terms).
If you have two related hearings on the same day, some barristers will offer a combined rate. Ask if this applies to your case.
When asking for a quote, give as much information as possible:
The more detail you provide, the more accurate the quote will be.
Barrister Connect matches people directly with specialist barristers, without the delay or cost of instructing a solicitor first. Send us a short outline of the case, we identify the right barrister and you receive a fixed-fee quote before committing. Get in touch with our team to start.