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How Does Direct Access Work? | Barrister Connect
Home/ How it works/ How does Direct Access work?
How it works

How does Direct Access work?

Direct Access allows you to instruct a specialist barrister in England and Wales without going through a solicitor first. This page explains what the scheme is, where it came from, and how it works in practice.

Jump to: What is Direct Access? Where it came from How it works What a barrister can do Costs FAQs

What is Direct Access?

Direct Access is a scheme in England and Wales that allows individuals and businesses to instruct a barrister directly, without needing to go through a solicitor first. It is also referred to as Public Access.

Under the Direct Access rules, a qualified barrister can take instructions from a member of the public, advise on a legal matter, draft documents, and represent a client in court, all without a solicitor acting as an intermediary.

Barrister Connect is a Direct Access barrister service. When you submit an enquiry through Barrister Connect, you are contacting a specialist clerking team who will match you with a barrister from a network of over 150 practising barristers across England and Wales.

Where did Direct Access come from?

Before 2004, members of the public could not instruct a barrister directly. Barristers could only accept instructions from solicitors, which meant that anyone needing a barrister had to first engage a solicitor to act as an intermediary.

In 2004, the Bar Council introduced the Public Access Scheme, allowing barristers who had completed specific training to accept instructions directly from clients. The scheme was designed to make specialist legal expertise more accessible and to reduce the cost of legal proceedings for individuals and small businesses.

The rules have developed over time. Today, Direct Access is well established and widely used across a broad range of civil and family law matters in England and Wales.

Barrister Connect was founded to make the Direct Access model straightforward and accessible. The bc-service removes the complexity of finding and instructing the right barrister and provides clear, transparent pricing from the outset.

How does Direct Access work in practice?

The process through Barrister Connect works in four steps.

1

Submit your case

Tell us about your situation using the online enquiry form or by calling the team directly. There is no charge to enquire and no obligation to proceed.

2

We identify the right barrister

The Barrister Connect team reviews your case and identifies a barrister from the network who has the right expertise, availability, and experience for your matter.

3

You receive a fixed-fee quote

Before any work begins, you receive a clear, fixed-fee quote setting out exactly what is included and what it will cost. There are no hidden charges. You choose whether to proceed.

4

Work begins

Once you confirm you want to go ahead, you are connected directly with your barrister and can arrange to start work at a mutually agreed time.

What can a Direct Access barrister do?

A Direct Access barrister can:

  • Advise you on your legal position and your options
  • Review documents and correspondence
  • Draft legal documents, letters before action, skeleton arguments, and court bundles
  • Represent you at hearings, tribunals, and court proceedings
  • Provide a written opinion on a legal question
  • Help you understand complex legal processes in plain language

A barrister within the Barrister Connect network will typically be able to provide a fixed-fee quote for advice, document drafting, and representation at hearings. If your case requires the barrister to conduct litigation on your behalf, such as issuing or serving court proceedings, we will discuss this further with you to find the right arrangement.

How much does Direct Access cost?

The cost of instructing a barrister through Barrister Connect depends on what you need and the complexity of your matter. All fees are agreed in advance as a fixed quote. There are no surprise invoices. The figures below are indicative ranges based on real work. All fees are exclusive of VAT.

Online consultation
£250 to £750 +VAT
Position statement drafting
£300 to £500 +VAT
1-hour hearing
£750 to £1,250 +VAT
Full day hearing
£1,500 to £2,500 +VAT

Property, commercial, probate, and motoring fees are quoted individually. See the full fee guide for a complete breakdown by practice area and hearing length.

Frequently asked questions

Can I instruct a barrister without a solicitor in England and Wales?
Yes. Under the Direct Access scheme, you can instruct a barrister directly without a solicitor acting as an intermediary. This applies to civil and family law matters. It does not apply to criminal law or immigration cases.
Is Direct Access the same as Public Access?
Yes. Direct Access and Public Access refer to the same scheme. The terms are used interchangeably. The Bar Standards Board uses the term Public Access in its formal rules. Direct Access is more commonly used in practice.
Do I need to have already started court proceedings?
No. You can instruct a Direct Access barrister at any point, whether you are at the very start of a legal issue, midway through proceedings, or facing an imminent court date.
Can a Direct Access barrister represent me in the family court?
Yes. Direct Access barristers regularly represent clients in the family court, including at financial remedy hearings, child arrangements hearings, and non-molestation order applications.
Can a Direct Access barrister represent me at an employment tribunal?
Yes. Employment tribunal proceedings are well suited to Direct Access. A barrister can advise you on the strength of your claim, help you prepare your case, and represent you at the hearing.
What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?
Both are qualified lawyers. Solicitors typically manage the ongoing conduct of a legal matter, including correspondence, procedural steps, and client communication. Barristers specialise in legal analysis, advocacy, and representing clients at hearings and court proceedings.
Can I use legal aid to instruct a Direct Access barrister?
No. Legal aid cannot be used to instruct a Direct Access barrister. Legal aid requires you to work with a solicitor who holds a contract with the Legal Aid Agency. You can check whether you may be eligible using the government's legal aid eligibility checker.
How quickly can Barrister Connect find me a barrister?
In most cases the team can identify a suitable barrister within 24 to 48 hours. For urgent matters, including cases where a court hearing is imminent, same-day matching is often possible. Call the team directly if your matter is time-sensitive.
Who regulates Direct Access barristers?
The barristers within the Barrister Connect network are individually regulated by the Bar Standards Board, the independent regulator of barristers in England and Wales. Each barrister who works on a Direct Access basis has completed the required training and is authorised to accept instructions directly from members of the public.
Is everything I tell Barrister Connect confidential?
Yes. Everything you share is treated as strictly confidential. Information is only shared with the team and the barrister assigned to your case. Barristers are bound by professional confidentiality obligations set by the Bar Standards Board. Barrister Connect does not share your details with third parties for marketing purposes.
What happens if my case becomes too complex for Direct Access?
If your barrister determines that your matter requires a solicitor to handle certain aspects of the case, they will advise you of this clearly. In some situations a barrister can continue to act alongside a solicitor. In others, it may be more appropriate to transfer conduct to a solicitor entirely.

Ready to find out if Direct Access is right for your case?

There is no charge to enquire. Tell us about your situation and the team will confirm whether Barrister Connect can help.

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