Direct Access

How does it work?

Step 1: Contact our clerks and tell us what type of help you need. They will identify the KBW barrister with the most appropriate expertise in the area. Our clerks can be contacted on 0113 2971200 or at clerks@kbwchambers.com.

Step 2: A barrister will review the circumstances of your case to ensure it is suitable for Direct Access and to suggest a plan of action. For example, your barrister might suggest an early conference so that you can meet and discuss the case in detail.

Step 3: A clear schedule of the work required and the costs involved will be agreed between you and your barrister. Also, your barrister will explore with you whether there are any ways in which your representation could be free of charge to you, e.g. legal aid, home insurance policies etc. Timescales for your case may vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, complexity of your case, the need for additional documents and the other side’s approach

Step 4: You are your barrister will work together on your case in order to achieve the best result possible. Your barrister can represent you from the beginning to end of your dispute.

Barristers at KBW can represent and advise members of the public in every one of our practice areas, e.g. commercial disputes, landlord and tenant, personal injury, employment, family and crime.

Price Transparency
Our charges vary depending on the type of case and the experience of the barrister you instruct. Barristers in KBW Chambers normally operate on an hourly rate fee structure and charges typically range from around £125 to £250 (plus VAT) per hour.

The above fees are estimates only. If you have a particularly complex case, your fees may be higher than the estimates. In certain circumstances, we may be able to charge fixed fees, which means that we will charge you a set amount of money for the work. Charges will vary according to the type of case and the volume of material, as well as the seniority of counsel required. Please contact the clerks and we will endeavour to provide a bespoke quotation. For further information about likely fees, please click here download a guide to fees for specific practice areas.

There may be additional costs, such as court fees, which are not covered by the barrister’s fees. Please see https://www.gov.uk/court-fees-what-they-are which gives an outline of court fees in England and Wales.

How we can help
Representing people in court is our speciality. Barristers in chambers can help you with preparation for hearings, drafting documents and advocacy at court in relation to all of the practice areas that Chambers works in, if your case is suitable.

The Direct Access rules do not allow barristers to “litigate.” One example of what this means in practice is that are certain documents we are not allowed to send or “file” for you, but there is no problem with us drafting those documents for you to simply send on or file. The full details of how the scheme works can be found in the Bar Standards Board Guide: click here to download.

Here’s what a few of our Direct Access clients have said about our service:
“Their professional no-nonsense attitude assured me our case was in good hands. They answered all of our questions honestly and promptly.” Ms C

“Simply brilliant!” Mr T

“My barrister appraised the situation, the facts and all the documentation very rapidly. In court she was amazing.” Ms P

To download this information in an alternative format, please  click here.