We are delighted to announce that we now have a team of Brighton barristers who are qualified to accept work on a public access basis from lay clients. This scheme permits clients to instruct barristers direct without the need to employ a solicitor. The new “Public Access” section of this site explains how the new service operates, lists those barristers who provide this service and links to an enquiry form which lay clients are encouraged to complete in the first instance to enable the clerks to identify a suitable barrister to do the work for them. The functions a barrister can perform are limited and lay clients instructing them will be expected to undertake the day-to-day management of their own cases which a solicitor would otherwise undertake on their behalf. While not suitable therefore for all cases, in some circumstances, this can be a very cost-effective way for a lay client to receive high quality legal assistance. If a qualified barrister accepts a case on this basis, the client will receive a comprehensive client care letter setting out the precise arrangements and creating a contract between them.
