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Overview
Significantly reducing legal costs by not involving a solicitor, 9BR Chambers offer direct representation and specialist legal advice promptly and efficiently, though we will recommend a qualified solicitor should it become appropriate.
9BR Chambers has some counsel able to represent clients under the Direct Public Access scheme for advice, legal services and legal representation in court without the involvement of a solicitor. We may recommend agents to act as litigation support to deal with case administration. Counsel accepting direct public access are registered with the Bar Council and are regulated by the guidance of the Bar Standards Board. The Barristers’ Register shows who in England and Wales has a current practising certificate and so authorisation to offer Direct Public Access.
With Direct Public Access clients may undertake case administration including: collating relevant papers and evidence; providing clear and concise instructions for the barrister; and corresponding with the court and other parties directly with letters and other legal documents the barrister will draft. Barristers that are ‘licensed to litigate’ handle these administrative tasks as part of their fees or by engaging litigation support.
Note, some cases cannot be dealt with under Direct Public Access including defendants in receipt of Legal Aid in criminal proceedings.
Please contact Paul Outen, Chambers Senior Clerk (paul.outen@9brchambers.co.uk, 0207 489 2727) or in his absence Russell Good, Chambers Clerking Manager (russell.good@9brchambers.co.uk, 0207 489 2727) to discuss whether your case is appropriate for Direct Public Access and to obtain a quotation for the legal services required.
Terms of service
- Because 9BR Chambers' barristers cover a wide variety of work a variety of pricing models are available. The most common are brief and refresher rates, hourly rates, fixed fees and Conditional Fee Agreements.
- Upon acceptance of the work the barrister and the client will enter into a contract, setting out precisely what work will be done, the fees for the work, the time it will take and any notable deadlines.
- Barristers fees will be charged according to their level of experience, the complexity of the case and the length of time involved in dealing with it. The time at which fees become payable will be agreed on a case by case basis.
- Where the fee relates to a hearing, the barrister is normally entitled to the fee, whether or not the hearing goes ahead, though you may be able to agree a different basis for payment of the fee in such a case.
- Fees for paperwork and conferences will, where possible, be fixed in advance of the work. Where it is not possible, an estimate will be given. We may also be able to agree that there should be a “ceiling” on the fee charged for a particular piece of work.
- Where fees are agreed in advance of the work being done, the barrister will require the fee to be paid before carrying out the work.
- Where a fee is not fixed in advance and the work involves the production of paperwork (for example the drafting of a contract), the barrister will require you to pay for the work before it is released. If, when finding out more about the case, the barrister considers the work that is proposed will take longer than the time agreed, the barrister will contact you the client to arrange and amend the contract.
FAQ's
What are your fees?
Because 9BR Chambers' barristers cover a wide variety of work a variety of pricing models are available. The most common are brief and refresher rates, hourly rates, fixed fees and Conditional Fee Agreements.
Barristers fees will be charged according to their level of experience, the complexity of the case and the length of time involved in dealing with it. The time at which fees become payable will be agreed on a case by case basis.
How will the process work?
Upon acceptance of the work the barrister and the client will enter into a contract, setting out precisely what work will be done, the fees for the work, the time it will take and any notable deadlines.
Will I have to pay a fee even if the hearing does not go ahead?
Where the fee relates to a hearing, the barrister is normally entitled to the fee, whether or not the hearing goes ahead, though you may be able to agree a different basis for payment of the fee in such a case.
Do you charge an hourly rate or a fixed rate?
Fees for paperwork and conferences will, where possible, be fixed in advance of the work. Where it is not possible, an estimate will be given. We may also be able to agree that there should be a “ceiling” on the fee charged for a particular piece of work.
When do I have to pay?
Where fees are agreed in advance of the work being done, the barrister will require the fee to be paid before carrying out the work.
Will I ever be charged more than what was agreed?
Where a fee is not fixed in advance and the work involves the production of paperwork (for example the drafting of a contract), the barrister will require you to pay for the work before it is released. If, when finding out more about the case, the barrister considers the work that is proposed will take longer than the time agreed, the barrister will contact you the client to arrange and amend the contract.
