Public Access
The Public Access scheme enables certain members of Chambers to be instructed by members of the general public. There are significant savings to clients under the scheme and fees can be agreed on a fixed term basis which assists clients in keeping costs under control.
Public Access – what is it?
How Can We Help?
2 King’s Bench Walk has a number of accredited barristers who are able to accept instructions directly from the public via the Public Access Scheme.
Chambers has a wealth of experience and expertise amongst our panel to advise on many areas of law in addition to our principal areas of specialism which are Crime, Civil, Family and Immigration. Please access the profiles of the members of chambers who have undergone training and are accredited to accept instructions under the scheme.
2 King’s Bench Walk is committed to providing clients with a service that is approachable, efficient and cost effective. We will assist clients if they are considering using a barrister directly to decide if it is the appropriate route for them and the best way of accessing legal services.
We represent clients in family, civil and criminal matters in the Magistrates Court, the County Court, the Crown Court, Court of Appeal and the High Court. We also represent clients who require legal representation in Regulatory Tribunals and other Legal Tribunals.
What we do
- Provide you with expert legal advice
- Draft documents
- Assist you to draft correspondence
- Assist in drafting statements from litigants and witnesses
- Advise you on suitable expert witnesses and draft your instructions to them
- Offer you advice on proceedings
- Draft Court documents
- Appear in Court on your behalf
What we cannot do
- Handle money on your behalf
- Instruct expert witnesses directly
- Contact witnesses directly
- Investigate evidence
- Correspond with opposing lawyers on your behalf
How to instruct us
In the first instance please contact the clerks either by telephone or email. Our clerks are trained in dealing with Public Access cases and are experienced in recommending barristers with the most relevant experience to assist you. They can be reached by email at crime@2kbw.com and by telephone on 020 7353 1746. Alternatively, use the secure email [email protected]
If we are able to accept your Public Access case, one of our team of experienced barristers will contact you to discuss your legal issue and advise you if they need more information in order to advise you fully. The clerk will then give you a quotation for the work you require and send you a contract, which will set out the Terms and Conditions on which the work will be done.
You will be asked to provide the following information:
- Your name and contact details
- The nature of the dispute
- The identity of the other party/parties to the dispute
- The work required (eg representation at a hearing or similar)
- Any relevant deadlines (eg date for filing a document)
The general Terms & Conditions of engagement are:
- Barristers’ fees will be charged depending on their level of experience, the complexity of the case and the length of time involved in dealing with it
- Barristers will usually charge either a fixed fee for a piece of work or an hourly rate, depending on the nature of the work
- Fees for paperwork and conferences will be fixed in advance where we can. If this is not possible, we will provide an estimate. Please note it is possible to set a limit on what you are prepared to spend and we will tell you in advance of that limit being reached
- Where fees are agreed in advance of the work being carried out, the barrister will require the fee to be paid before undertaking the work
- Where a fee is not fixed in advance and the work involves the production of paperwork the barrister will require you to pay for the work before it is released to you
- If the Barrister discovers that the work is going to take longer than the original time agreed, the clerk will contact you immediately to discuss any amendments to your contract
Please do feel free to contact any of our friendly clerks if you want more information about costs and to discuss your Public Access case.
For more information on the Public Access Scheme please view the Bar Council’s information through the following links:
Public Access guidance for the public (barstandardsboard.org.uk)