What does Barrister Connect offer?
Barrister Connect is a Direct Access barrister bc-service covering England and Wales. This page sets out every bc-service and practice area available, so you can understand exactly what we can do and how to instruct us.
About Barrister Connect
Barrister Connect is a Direct Access barrister bc-service operating across England and Wales. The bc-service connects individuals and businesses directly with specialist barristers, without the need for a solicitor to act as an intermediary.
The barristers within the Barrister Connect network are individually regulated by the Bar Standards Board. The bc-service operates on a transparent fixed-fee basis. There is no charge to enquire.
Barrister Connect was founded to make specialist legal expertise more accessible. The bc-service removes the complexity of finding and instructing the right barrister and provides clear pricing from the outset.
Types of legal bc-service available
Property, commercial, probate, and motoring fees are quoted individually. All fees exclusive of VAT. Full fee guide.
All of these services are available as standalone unbundled instructions. You can instruct for one specific piece of work without any obligation to continue.
Urgent and last-minute representation
Same-day and next-day instruction is potentially available for clients with imminent court or tribunal dates. The team handles last-minute instructions regularly and will explore availability as a priority. Call the team directly if your matter is time-sensitive.
Support for litigants in person
Remote support and advice for individuals who are representing themselves in court or at a tribunal. This can include document review, advice on approach, and help preparing for a hearing. All support is provided remotely. Available as a fixed-fee standalone service.
Family law
Barrister Connect has a substantial network of family law barristers covering all aspects of private family proceedings in England and Wales. Family law is the largest practice area within the Barrister Connect network.
Advice and representation across all stages of divorce and financial remedy proceedings. This includes Form E financial disclosure, First Appointment hearings, Financial Dispute Resolution hearings, and Final Hearings. Barristers can advise on the division of assets, pension sharing orders, spousal maintenance, and the use of consent orders to finalise financial arrangements.
Financial remedy hearings
Representation at FDA, FDR, and Final Hearing.
Consent orders
Drafting and advising on consent orders to finalise financial arrangements.
Form E advice
Advising on financial disclosure obligations and preparing Form E.
Asset division advice
Legal opinion on how assets and pensions are likely to be treated.
Advice and representation in child arrangements proceedings, including applications for child arrangements orders, specific issue orders, and prohibited bc-steps orders. Barristers can represent clients at First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointments, fact-finding hearings, and Final Hearings. The team is experienced in cases involving CAFCASS involvement, parental alienation, and safeguarding concerns.
Child arrangements orders
Applications, hearings, and representation throughout proceedings.
Fact-finding hearings
Representation where allegations are in dispute.
Prohibited bc-steps orders
Applications to prevent a specific action by the other parent.
CAFCASS-involved cases
Experience of cases involving CAFCASS reports and safeguarding.
Urgent and non-urgent applications for non-molestation orders and occupation orders. Barristers can advise on eligibility, prepare the application, and represent clients at hearings. Representation for respondents defending such applications is also available.
NMO applications
Advice, drafting, and hearing representation for applicants.
Occupation order applications
Applications regarding occupation of the family home.
Respondent representation
Defending NMO and occupation order applications.
Urgent without-notice applications
Emergency without-notice applications where required.
Advice and representation in cases involving the unlawful removal of a child from England and Wales, or the refusal to return a child following an agreed visit abroad. Barristers can assist with Hague Convention applications and wardship proceedings.
Employment law
Barrister Connect provides specialist employment law advice and representation for both claimants and respondents across England and Wales.
Advice on whether a dismissal is likely to be found unfair, assistance preparing an employment tribunal claim, and representation at preliminary hearings and the final hearing. Constructive dismissal cases, where the circumstances of a resignation amount to a breach of contract by the employer, are also handled.
Merits advice
Assessment of whether a claim is likely to succeed before committing to proceedings.
Claim preparation
Drafting the ET1, schedule of loss, and preparing case paperwork.
Hearing representation
Representation from preliminary hearings to the final tribunal hearing, including remedies and case management hearings.
Constructive dismissal
Advice and representation for employees who resigned due to employer conduct.
Settlement agreement advice
Advice on the terms of a settlement agreement before you sign, including where the employer is contributing to legal fees.
Advice and representation in claims involving discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race, sex, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, or marriage and civil partnership. Whistleblowing claims, where a protected disclosure has led to a detriment or dismissal, are also handled.
Discrimination claims
All protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Whistleblowing
Protected disclosure detriment and dismissal claims.
Harassment claims
Harassment and victimisation in the workplace.
Equal pay claims
Advice and representation in equal pay disputes.
Advice on the terms of a settlement agreement before you sign, including in situations where your employer is contributing to your legal fees. A barrister will review the agreement, advise whether the terms are reasonable given the circumstances of your case, and sign the certificate confirming independent legal advice has been given.
Settlement agreement review
Advice on whether the terms offered are fair and what you may be giving up by signing.
Employer-funded advice
Where your employer is contributing to legal fees, the barrister will work within that arrangement.
Certificate of independent advice
Signing and returning the certificate required to make the settlement agreement legally binding.
Advice and representation in matters arising from the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006. TUPE applies when a business or part of a business transfers to a new employer, or when a bc-service changes hands. Employees have specific rights in these situations, including protection of their terms and conditions and against dismissal connected to the transfer.
TUPE advice for employees
Understanding your rights when your employment transfers to a new employer.
TUPE advice for employers
Obligations on the transferor and transferee and how to manage the process correctly.
Dismissal connected to a transfer
Advice and representation where an employee has been dismissed in connection with a TUPE transfer.
Advice and representation for employers responding to tribunal claims. This includes drafting the employer's ET3 response, advising on the merits of a defence, and representation from case management through to final hearing. Settlement advice and drafting of settlement agreements is also available.
ET3 response
Drafting the employer's response to the tribunal claim.
Defence strategy
Advice on the merits of the employer's position and approach.
Hearing representation
Representation at case management, preliminary, and final hearings.
Settlement agreements
Advice on settlement and drafting acceptable settlement agreements.
Written opinion for insurers
Written opinion on the prospects of a claim where an insurer requires a formal assessment before confirming cover.
Property and estates law
Advice and representation for landlords dealing with rent arrears, tenant eviction, and possession proceedings. Barristers can advise on the correct notice procedure, prepare for and represent at possession hearings, and advise on enforcement. Representation is also available for tenants facing possession claims or other housing disputes.
Possession hearings
Fixed-fee representation at County Court possession hearings for landlords and tenants.
Section 21 notices
Advice on no-fault eviction procedure and validity of notices.
Section 8 notices
Advice and representation for rent arrears and breach of tenancy.
Accelerated possession
Advice on accelerated possession procedure where applicable.
Advice and representation in housing disrepair claims where a landlord has failed to maintain the property to the required standard. Barristers can advise on the merits of a claim, assist with pre-action correspondence, and represent at any hearing.
Advice and representation for tenants where a landlord has failed to protect a deposit in a government-approved scheme. Barristers can advise on the penalties available and represent at any related hearing.
Advice and representation in disputes between neighbours or landowners over boundary lines, rights of way, easements, and adverse possession claims. Barristers can advise on the merits of a claim and represent at trial.
Advice and representation in contested probate matters, including challenges to the validity of a will on grounds of lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, or fraudulent calumny. Barristers can also advise on Inheritance Act claims, executor disputes, and trust litigation. Note that Barrister Connect handles contentious wills and probate disputes only. Routine probate administration is carried out by solicitors.
Contested wills
Challenges based on capacity, undue influence, or fraud.
Inheritance Act claims
Claims by family members and dependants for reasonable provision.
Executor disputes
Disputes about the conduct or removal of an executor.
Trust disputes
Advice and representation in trust-related litigation.
Advice and representation in disputes between cohabiting partners or others over the ownership or beneficial interests in a shared property, brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. This is an increasingly common area of work, particularly for unmarried couples who have purchased property together or where one party has contributed to a property in another's name.
Beneficial interest disputes
Advice and representation where the legal and beneficial ownership of a property is in dispute.
Orders for sale
Applications for an order for sale where parties cannot agree on the future of a jointly owned property.
Commercial and contract law
Advice and representation in disputes where one party has failed to perform their contractual obligations. Barristers can advise on the strength of a claim or defence, assist with pre-action correspondence, and represent at trial or mediation. Commercial litigation in the County Court and High Court is handled, including claims for debt, damages, and injunctive relief.
Breach of contract claims
Advice on liability, quantum, and representation at trial.
Debt recovery
Advice and representation in commercial debt claims.
Injunctions
Applications for injunctive relief to protect commercial interests.
Post-mediation representation
If court proceedings follow an unsuccessful mediation, a barrister can act as your legal representative at the hearing.
Advice and representation in disputes between shareholders and directors, including unfair prejudice petitions, derivative claims, and disputes about the conduct of company affairs. Professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants, financial advisers, and surveyors are also handled.
Shareholder disputes
Unfair prejudice petitions and shareholder agreements.
Director disputes
Disputes between directors and company management.
Professional negligence
Claims against solicitors, accountants, and other professionals.
Insolvency matters
Winding-up petitions, statutory demands, and insolvency disputes.
Advice and representation in County Court claims, including consumer disputes, invoice and payment disputes, and other general civil matters. Barristers can advise on the merits of a claim or defence, assist with pre-action correspondence, and represent at any hearing.
Consumer rights disputes
Claims where goods or services have not been provided to the required standard.
Invoice and payment disputes
Claims for unpaid invoices or disputes about what is owed between individuals and businesses.
County Court representation
Representation at small claims, fast track, and multi-track hearings.
Merits advice
A one-off consultation to assess whether a claim or defence is worth pursuing.
Additional practice areas
Advice and representation in judicial review proceedings challenging the decisions of public bodies, including local authorities, government departments, and regulatory agencies. Professional disciplinary proceedings before regulatory bodies, including fitness to practise hearings and appeals, are also handled.
Advice and representation in defamation claims, including libel and slander, arising from publications in print, online, or broadcast media. Advice on online reputation disputes, including claims under data protection law and harassment legislation, is also available.
Advice and representation for individuals facing prosecution for driving offences, including speeding, careless driving, dangerous driving, drink driving, and offences involving mobile phones. Representation at the Magistrates Court and Crown Court is available.
Geographic coverage
Barrister Connect operates across England and Wales. Barristers within the network practise from chambers in London and across the regions. Many hearings and consultations are conducted remotely, which means the bc-service is accessible regardless of location.
How to instruct Barrister Connect
There is no charge to submit an enquiry.
Submit your case
Use the online form or call the team, setting out what you need and when you need it by.
Confirmation and barrister identification
The team confirms whether your matter falls within the scope of the bc-service and identifies suitable barristers.
Fixed-fee quote
You receive a clear, fixed-fee quote before any work begins. No hidden charges.
Work begins
Once you confirm, you are connected directly with your barrister and can arrange to start work at a mutually agreed time.
Find a specialist barrister for your case
Submit your case and the team will confirm what Barrister Connect can do. No charge to enquire.