Public Access

What is Public Access?

Since 2004, members of the public have been able to come direct to barristers for legal advice and representation without having to go through a solicitor or another intermediary professional first. This is called Public Access.

Nothing has changed in terms of the work barristers can do for you. However, under the public access scheme you can take responsibility for the preliminary work normally done by a solicitor or other professional, in order to engage and deal directly with your barrister.

Not every matter is suitable for public access work because there are some things that barristers are not allowed to do. However, Outer Temple Chambers probably undertakes more public access cases than any other chambers and is very experienced at providing assistance to a wide range of clients.

Public Access can benefit you in a number of ways:

you have the opportunity to go direct to the specialist of your choice
communications can be speeded up because you and your barrister can liaise directly
you will save money because you are not paying for a solicitor

If you have a legal matter that needs attention and that may be suitable for us to advise on under the Public Access scheme you can email us with the details on publicaccess@outertemple.com or telephone the relevant Senior Team Leader for the relevant area of law or Derek Jenkins on 020 7583 2997. We will be pleased to help you understand the process and assess whether this is the right route for you.

Licensed Access allows companies, firms and other organisations to instruct a barrister directly. This requires approval through the Bar Council. We will provide assistance wherever possible to support a licensed access application.

Services we can offer

Our aim is to provide a personal, accessible and professional service where we provide you with support and guidance in addition to specialist advice and representation in courts, tribunals’ arbitrations and any other hearings where you are allowed to be represented by someone else.

Our barristers can:

provide you with expert legal advice
draft documents such as contracts and standard terms of business
help you to draft correspondence
help to draft statements from litigants and witnesses
advise you on suitable experts and draft instructions to expert witnesses
offer you advice on the next steps to be taken in proceedings
draft formal court documents

Our barristers cannot:

issue court documents on your behalf
contact witnesses or collect and investigate evidence
instruct an expert witness on your behalf
handle your money
correspond with the other side on your behalf

We can be instructed directly on:

Can I email you about my legal issue?

Yes. If you complete the form below we will look at it and consider whether a barrister at Outer Temple Chambers may be able to help you under the Public Access Scheme. Completing this form does not commit you to anything.