Direct Access

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Since legislation changes came into effect in 2004, the days of having to instruct both a barrister and solicitor in every case are over. It is now been possible for any member of the public to instruct a barrister directly without first having to go through the services of a solicitor or an intermediary. This is known as Direct or Public Access.

Not all Public Direct Access barristers can correspond directly with other parties in the case and conduct litigation, these are services normally exclusively reserved to solicitors. However, Simon can, as he is qualified to conduct litigation such as, issuing court documents or instructing an expert directly on your behalf. 

By providing these services, Simon can take the burden and responsibility out of you having to manage your own case. If your legal representative isn’t authorised to conduct litigation, then it is likely that you will have to do some of the administrative work yourself and manage your own case. This may be something which you would like to discuss with Simon, as some clients are happy to do this, as it can reduce your legal costs. 

However, whilst the Public Direct Access scheme can save you money overall, it is also important to note, that there are a significant number of advantages for a client who chooses to instruct Simon directly:

• Immediate access, at an early stage, to expertise in one unique area of law, Road Traffic Law;
• the ability to make critical strategic and tactical decisions without the need to go through a ‘middle a person’;
• having one direct point of contact, knowing from the outset that your barrister, Simon, will have conduct of your case from start to finish;
• significantly lower costs rather than associated with instructing both a solicitor and barrister.

There may be rare occasions, when a case is not suited to Public Direct Access. If any such matters arise, Simon may advise that due to the complexity and size of the case, that your interests are best served by using the traditional model of instructing both a solicitor and barrister. Should that situation arise he can recommend highly qualified solicitors, also experts in Road Traffic Law, who he has worked with before.