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Direct Access

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Changes in the law mean that anyone can come direct to us for a consultation. Whether you are an individual or an organisation, our direct access barristers will offer specialist help you need. For full details of what Direct Access Barristers can and cannot offer, please visit the Bar Standards Board website for guidance. Please note that if you have a Solicitor and wish to instruct Counsel from our Chambers, your Solicitor must contact us.

What is direct access?

Public access rules were introduced in July 2004, which has changed the way members of the public can access the services of barristers. This new legislation makes it possible for anyone to instruct a direct access barristers without engaging a solicitor or other recognised forms of access.

How does it work?

Simply, you can contact us direct to discuss your requirements. Whatever your individual circumstances, we will offer only the highest quality of advice and advocacy. We work with a trusted network of leading solicitors and professional partners to provide full litigation services. Therefore, if we feel that you would benefit from the advice of another legal expert, we will happily point you in the right direction.

Saving you money

When you instruct our direct access barristers, there are no solicitors’ fees to pay and no additional costs. In fact, we can actually save you money. We operate at very competitive rates, and we will tailor a fee structure to suit your individual requirements. We can do initial case assessments i.e. give you an indication of the strength or weakness of your case or likely level of award before you embark on costly litigation.

Other benefits

  • Agreeing costs upfront with pre-charge services.
  • Jargon-free advice and advocacy.
  • No-nonsense prospects of fighting your case.
  • Trusted and expert interpretation of the law.

How we can help?

Under public access rules, we can offer you advice and advocacy in the following areas:

  • Appeals
  • Civil claims and investigations
  • Collation of evidence
  • Correspondence and legal documents
  • Court and tribunal hearings
  • Disciplinary proceedings
  • Litigation strategy
  • Negotiation
  • Regulatory compliance

Financial Disputes following Divorce

For an indication of our barristers’ fees and/or our hourly rates in cases involving Financial Disputes following Divorce (when joint assets are worth less than £300,000), please click on the link here and you will be able to access this information as well as more information on the key stages and timescales generally involved in such cases.  If you require this information in alternative formats and/or hard-copy, please contact us on 0207 353 6802.

Immigration Tribunal (First-tier Tribunal)

For an indication of our barristers’ fees and/or our hourly rates in cases involving appeals to the Immigration Tribunal, please click on the link here and you will be able to access this information as well as more information on the key stages and timescales generally involved in such cases.  If you require this information in alternative formats and/or hard-copy, please contact us on 0207 353 6802.

Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 Advice

For an indication of our barristers’ fees and/or our hourly rates in cases involving Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 Advice (where the deceased person’s estate is worth less than £300,000), please click on the link here and you will be able to access this information as well as more information on the key stages and timescales generally involved in such cases.  If you require this information in alternative formats and/or hard-copy, please contact us on 0207 353 6802.

“Summary only” motoring offences

For an indication of our barristers’ fees and/or our hourly rates in cases involving “Summary only” Motoring Offences under Part 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and/or Section 89 of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, please click on the link here and you will be able to access this information as well as more information on the key stages and timescales generally involved in such cases.  If you require this information in alternative formats and/or hard-copy, please contact us on 0207 353 6802.

Personal injury claims

For an indication of our barristers’ fees and/or our hourly rates in cases involving Personal Injury Claims (in relation to claims, which are valued up to £25,000 or are allocated to the fast track), please click on the link here and you will be able to access this information as well as more information on the key stages and timescales generally involved in such cases.  If you require this information in alternative formats and/or hard-copy, please contact us on 0207 353 6802.

Unfair Dismissal and/or Wrongful Dismissal claims

For an indication of our barristers’ fees and/or our hourly rates in cases involving Unfair Dismissal and/or Wrongful Dismissal claims, please click on the link here and you will be able to access this information as well as more information on the key stages and timescales generally involved in such cases.  If you require this information in alternative formats and/or hard-copy, please contact us on 0207 353 6802.

Winding-up petitions

For an indication of our barristers’ fees and/or our hourly rates in cases involving Winding-up Petitions, please click on the link here and you will be able to access this information as well as more information on the key stages and timescales generally involved in such cases.  If you require this information in alternative formats and/or hard-copy, please contact us on 0207 353 6802.

Payment

For payment arrangements, please contact the fees clerks.GC_0836

This information is available in alternative formats and/or hard-copy upon request. Please contact us on 0207 353 6802.

Goldsmith Chambers and its barristers are
regulated by the Bar Standards Board

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