Direct Access
In certain circumstances barristers at Francis Taylor Buildings will accept instructions without the involvement of an instructing legal professional. There are many advantages of this route including: lower legal costs, efficient case management - avoiding duplication of work by other professionals on a case. Having the immediate access to expertise, the scheme allows you instant direct access to the top professionals in the field from the start of case, ensuring you get the best possible advice from the outset. Direct access break down into two routes - Licensed Access and Public Access.
Licensed Access (previously know as "BarDIRECT" and "Direct Professional Access") allows non-legal professionals and organizations to instruct barristers by way of a license granted by the Bar Standards Board. The license can cover advice and representation and can permit licensees to instruct barristers either on their own affairs or on behalf of their clients.
Further details can be found at the Licensed Access section of the Bar Council website. The Bar Council's Licensed Access Terms of Work can be found here.
In certain cases members of the public may instruct a barrister without having to involve an instructing solicitor or other intermediary.
Although the barrister's role remains essentially the same, members of the public may instruct a barrister directly through the public access scheme.
The main advantage of the public access scheme is that it could potentially save you money whilst giving you access to the Bar, since you would be paying for a barrister only instead of a barrister and solicitor. Further details including indicative fees can be found here.
General information about the Public Access scheme can be found on the Bar Standards Board public access guidance for lay clients.
Please contact our clerks on 020 7353 8415 to discuss the right route for you.
"The clerking at Francis Taylor Building is the best of any chambers." "The clerks are great – the best around." "The clerks are all brilliant and very personable." "The clerks are visible, personable and will engage proactively with instructing solicitors." "Fantastic – very efficient and friendly."
Legal 500, 2024"The clerks remain, as in previous years, first-class."
Chambers and Partners, 2023"The clerks are commercial and they understand the pressures solicitors are under, and this is so important."
Chambers and Partners, 2023"The clerks are very proficient and quick to assist."
Chambers and Partners 2023"The clerks' office is very responsive and is led well by senior clerk Paul Coveney."
Chambers and Partners, 2023"The clerks at Francis Taylor Building are absolutely superb and very quick to get back to you." "The team is very agile and very commercial in terms of their approach and you can discuss things based on client needs."
Chambers and Partners, 2022"Paul Coveney, senior clerk, is streets ahead of other clerks; he understands the work and is strategic in his thinking. The clerking is excellent."
Chambers and Partners, 2022