St Johns Buildings' Public Access Team

What is Public Access?

The Public Access Rules came into force in July 2004 and members of the public are now able, in many circumstances, to instruct a barrister direct. Public Access accredited barristers still receive instructions from solicitors’ firms and are also able to assist you in deciding whether or not your case requires a solicitor at no cost.

Where your case does not require a solicitor a public access barrister will be able to represent you directly, including drafting legal documents, court forms and letters and representing you in court. Where your case does require a solicitor your public access barrister has the unique market knowledge that can assist you in finding the right solicitor at an expense that is appropriate for you and your case.

What Type of Work Can Public Access Barristers Carry Out?

St Johns Buildings have Public Access Barristers who are able to receive instructions in the following areas of law:

Criminal Law (where it is privately paid)
Regulatory Law
Licensing
Professional Discipline matters
Road Traffic Offences
Police Discipline
Courts Martial
Family Law
Matrimonial Law
Employment Law
Commercial Law
Chancery Law
Personal Injury Law
Public and Administrative Law including Judicial Review
Property and Planning Law
Contractual Law
Intellectual Property disputes

St Johns Buildings also has 2 trained and accredited commercial mediators and 2 trained and accredited family mediators, to assist you where mediation or other forms of ADR are the most appropriate way for your case to be dealt with.

The Bar Council has produced a booklet giving more information on Public Access work. Click Here to be directed to the Bar Council booklet.

What Legal Services Can a Public Access Barrister Provide?

• Advisory work – advice on your case, prospects of success and what steps you need to take.
• Drafting – a barrister can draft legal documents, court forms, orders, letters, contracts.
• Correspondence – barristers can now correspond with the other side on your behalf or assist in drafting correspondence that you send yourself.
• Negotiation on your behalf
• Representation – barristers can still represent you as they would if they were instructed by a solicitor
• Advice – most importantly, barristers from St Johns Buildings are able to advise you whether your case is appropriate for public access or whether it would be more appropriate to instruct a solicitor. Where it is more appropriate to instruct a solicitor they can help you (at no cost) find a solicitor that is appropriate for you.

What Next?

If you would like to speak to someone about instructing a barrister from St Johns Buildings directly you can either call 0161 214 1500 and speak to Chris Shaw, Kevin Ambridge or Ryan Barker who will help you with your initial enquiry or you can email by clicking here to ask for someone to call you back. Just tell us what your name and telephone number are and provide a very small summary of your case so we can ensure the right person calls you.