What we do not cover at Barrister Connect and where to get the right help

Barrister Connect covers a substantial range of civil and family law matters but there are some areas of law that we do not handle. It is important to be honest about this. If we cannot help you, we would rather tell you up front and direct you to the right place. This guide sets out what we do not cover and where you can get the right help instead.

The main areas we do not cover

Criminal law

Barrister Connect does not handle criminal cases. If you have been charged with an offence, are under investigation by the police or have a hearing in the magistrates' court or Crown Court relating to a criminal matter, you need a criminal law specialist.

This includes:

• Charges or proceedings in the magistrates' court or Crown Court
• Police investigations
• Voluntary police interviews
• Crown Prosecution Service decisions
• Confiscation proceedings
• Most driving offences (some specific motoring matters are an exception, but most are best handled by criminal motoring specialists)

Where to go instead: a solicitor firm that specialises in criminal defence, or a direct access barrister who specifically handles criminal work.

Immigration law

We do not handle immigration matters. This is a specialist area with its own regulatory framework (the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and the Solicitors Regulation Authority both regulate it).

This includes:

• Visa applications
• Asylum claims
• Deportation appeals
• Settlement and naturalisation applications
• Sponsor licence matters
• Family immigration applications
• Tribunal appeals on immigration matters

Where to go instead: an immigration solicitor or an OISC-regulated adviser. The Law Society has a search facility for immigration solicitors.

Public funding (legal aid)

Barrister Connect operates on a private fee basis. We do not take legal aid cases. This means we cannot help if your situation requires legal aid funding.

Where to go instead: a legal aid solicitor. The Legal Aid Agency has a "find a legal aid adviser" search facility. Most criminal, some family and some immigration cases qualify for legal aid where the financial criteria are met.

Most personal injury and clinical negligence claims

While some commercial litigation work overlaps with personal injury, we do not generally take personal injury or clinical negligence cases. These are usually best handled by specialist firms with the necessary medical and accident reconstruction resources.

Where to go instead: a specialist personal injury solicitor, many of whom work on a "no win, no fee" basis.

Conveyancing

We do not handle conveyancing (the legal process of buying and selling property). Conveyancing requires regulated conveyancers or solicitors who hold client money and conduct title work.

Where to go instead: a conveyancing solicitor or licensed conveyancer.

Court of Protection work (most cases)

While some specific Court of Protection issues can be addressed through direct access, most Court of Protection work (deputyship applications, ongoing supervision of deputies) is better handled by specialist solicitors who can hold client funds.

Prison law

We do not handle prison law matters (recall, categorisation, parole, prisoner discipline). This is a specialist area with its own conventions.

Where to go instead: a prison law specialist firm.

International family law (most aspects)

Cases involving Hague Convention matters, complex international child abduction, or jurisdictional disputes between countries usually need specialist firms with international experience and the ability to coordinate across jurisdictions.

Northern Ireland and Scotland

Barrister Connect operates in England and Wales. We do not handle cases in Northern Ireland or Scotland. These jurisdictions have their own legal systems, separate professional regulation and different procedural rules.

Where to go instead: for Northern Ireland, contact the Law Society of Northern Ireland; for Scotland, contact the Law Society of Scotland or the Faculty of Advocates.

Areas at the boundary

Some motoring matters

Most driving offences are criminal matters. However, some specific civil aspects (challenging speed cameras, fixed penalty notices) may be in scope. We assess these case by case.

Some Court of Protection issues

Specific applications about deputyship powers or some property matters within Court of Protection may be in scope. Again, we assess case by case.

Some regulatory matters

We handle some professional regulatory work (MPTS, NMC, GDC and similar tribunals). Other regulatory areas (Financial Conduct Authority, Solicitors Regulation Authority for solicitors) may or may not be in scope depending on the specific matter.

Tax disputes

Some tax disputes (particularly Tax Tribunal appeals) can be handled through direct access. Complex tax planning matters or HMRC investigations may need specialist firms.

Cross-border commercial matters

Some international commercial matters may be in scope where they involve English law. Pure foreign law matters are not.

What we do cover

To be clear about what we do handle:

Family law

• Divorce and separation
• Financial remedy proceedings
• Child arrangements
• Non-molestation and occupation orders
• Schedule 1 children act applications
• Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• International family law where England and Wales has jurisdiction

Civil litigation

• Contract disputes
• Commercial litigation
• Property disputes (boundary, possession, leasehold, freehold)
• Set aside applications
• Default judgment matters
• Civil appeals

Employment law

• Unfair dismissal
• Discrimination claims
• Whistleblowing
• Constructive dismissal
• Settlement agreements
• Tribunal proceedings

Probate and trusts

• Will disputes
• Inheritance Act claims
• Trust disputes
• Executor disputes
• Right of occupation issues

Property law

• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Possession proceedings
• Boundary disputes
• Restrictive covenant disputes
• Leasehold disputes
• Service charge disputes
• Lease renewal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

Some regulatory work

• Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service
• Nursing and Midwifery Council
• General Dental Council
• Some other professional regulators

Why we are clear about scope

Being clear about what we do not cover serves everyone's interests:

Better outcomes

Specialist work needs specialist representation. A direct access barrister covering family law full-time is the right person for a family case. A criminal solicitor with police station experience is the right person for a criminal investigation.

No wasted time

If we cannot help you, telling you up front means you can find the right adviser without delay.

Appropriate regulation

Different areas of law have different regulatory frameworks. Working within our scope means you get representation that is properly regulated and insured for the work being done.

How to find the right adviser if we cannot help

Law Society Find a Solicitor

The Law Society has a free search facility for solicitors by area of law and location.

Bar Council Direct Access Portal

The Bar Council maintains a directory of direct access barristers across different specialisms.

Specialist legal organisations

For specific areas, specialist organisations have member directories:

• Resolution (family law specialists)
• Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
• Immigration Law Practitioners' Association
• The Association of Lawyers for Children

Free advice services

For some matters, free advice services are available:

• Citizens Advice (general advice)
• Shelter (housing)
• StepChange (debt)
• The Free Representation Unit (some tribunal and county court matters)
• Advocate (Bar Pro Bono Unit, for help from barristers)

If you are not sure whether we cover your case

If you are not certain whether your matter falls within our scope, contact us and we will tell you. Some cases have aspects within our scope and aspects outside it; we can help with what we can and recommend where to go for the rest.

There is no charge for asking. Even if we cannot help, we will try to direct you to a suitable specialist.

The bottom line

Barrister Connect aims to make specialist civil and family law representation accessible to people who would otherwise struggle to find it. We do that by focusing on what we are good at: direct access barrister representation in our covered areas.

Where we cannot help, we want to direct you to the right place rather than try to be all things to all people. The right help is more important than where you get it.

Talk to a specialist barrister about your matter

If the issues in this guide apply to your situation, our team can match you with a barrister who works on cases like yours every week. The enquiry is free and you will receive a clear fixed-fee quote before any work begins. Start your enquiry here.