The Public Access or Direct Access scheme allows members of the public to engage the services of a barrister directly in a suitable case. Previously a solicitor who would instruct a barrister on your behalf for specialist advice or to represent you as an advocate.

Some of our barristers are permitted to provide you with their services without the services of a solicitor in appropriate circumstances. All barristers who are willing to accept Public Access cases must be authorised to do so. All barristers are fully trained and qualified as well as being members of the Bar Council and regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

Our Public Access barristers:

• Naomi Madderson
• Andrew Comaish
• Sarah Fearon
• Patrick Taylor
• Olivia Bennyworth

Our barristers include experts in matrimonial finances and can offer a range of legal services and assist in a range of disputes arising from the breakdown of a marriage or a relationship.   Our barristers regularly deal with private children disputes about where a child should live or who the child should spend time with, enforcement of those orders as well as applications for Prohibited Steps Orders, Specific Issues Orders or applications for Parental Responsibility.  Our barristers are experienced in the making and opposing of Non-Molestation Orders or Occupation Orders and also regularly represent families within public law children cases

Patrick Taylor can also assist in building and construction disputes, contract and commercial disputes, professional liability, commercial agents. Patrick is very experienced in handling the affairs of clients directly.

How can you instruct us?

Please call our clerks on 01482 014658. When you contact us please make sure you know the nature of your dispute, the work you require and any relevant deadlines from court orders.  The clerks will discuss your case with a suitable barrister and will assess the case and consider if it is appropriate for Public Access. If so, they will provide you with a quote for the fees. Once you have received and accepted a quotation for the work, you will be sent a client care letter containing our terms and conditions as approved by the Bar Council and Bar Standards Board.  We will ask for you to return a signed copy of this letter.  Payment of the fee will be required before the Barrister can undertake any work on your behalf.

Public Access may not be suitable for lengthy proceedings with detailed correspondence including some criminal proceedings, those with multiple witnesses or cases involving foreign jurisdictions. A solicitor can advise on the best representation in these cases.

Further Information and Guidance for Lay Clients can be found here.

If you feel Crown Chambers can help you on a Public Access basis, get in touch via our contact page today or call us on 01482 014658.