Does the thought of instructing a barrister conjure up images of Rumpole or Martha Costello of Silk fame, a bewigged advocate that steps in last minute to represent you or your clients in court? Due to recent changes in barristers’ regulatory rules, we are becoming a much more accessible and cost effective solution for clients and their professional advisers.
Since July 2004 members of the public have been able to instruct a barrister directly, but there are a number of restrictions, which means that the client bears the administrative burden of filing court documents and sending correspondence in their own name.
From January of this year, barristers with the requisite knowledge and training (usually time working in a solicitors’ firm) have been able to apply for authorisation to conduct litigation so that these restrictions are no longer an issue. Not everyone’s application is successful and I am one of the 129 barristers who, to date, is able to provide both direct access and full litigation services.
So what does this mean for you? If you are a lay client, I can represent you in your dispute from the very beginning, providing you with continuity and piece of mind throughout. If you are a solicitor, accountant or tax adviser, I can work collaboratively with you, offering advocacy, litigation support services and specialist advice thereby enhancing your current client offerings.
In any event, instructing a barrister should not be constrained to the latter stages of the litigation process; having a barrister involved from the start is strategically and financially beneficial and you may be surprised at how user-friendly the whole process is!
I provide bespoke tax and commercial dispute resolution and litigation support services that extend beyond the traditionally perceived role of a barrister.
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