If you are a member of the public, i.e. not a solicitor, barrister or other professional, and wish to instruct one of our members, we will follow a dedicated process when you contact us. If you are a professional from another organisation wishing to instruct a barrister, please call our practice team on +44 (0)20 7404 3447 or contact us through our mailing form.
The role of barristers
The UK legal profession is split into barristers and solicitors. Barristers are known for appearing in court (although there are many other services that they can provide). Barristers are specialist advocates and are mainly engaged by other lawyers. One of the benefits of using barristers is that they are independent and they provide their services personally. They work in offices, known as chambers, in order to share staff and facilities.
How barristers are instructed
Barristers cannot generally be instructed by members of the public without a solicitor. Usually you would go to a solicitor about your case, then the solicitors would instruct a barrister when it is appropriate. This can be when you go to court or if they need specialist advice on a certain area of law.
Some barristers can accept instructions directly, and this process is known as public access. Public access barristers have completed a specialist training courses in order handle your instructions.
Our process for members of the public
When a member of the public contacts us, our Legal Support Service will discuss your situation and take your contact details. These will then be passed to our Practice Desk staff, who can look at your case and see whether there are any public access barristers available.
Generally the conclusion will be that you will need to get in touch with a solicitor.
You can find out more about working with barristers by reading our client information leaflet available here: Matrix Client Information Leaflet