The Public Access Scheme allows members of the public, and commercial and non-commercial organisations to instruct qualified Public Access Barristers directly on most matters, without the need for a solicitor to be instructed.
Nine Chambers have barristers with a broad range of expertise and experience who accept Public Access instructions in a variety of cases to suit budgetary requirements.
- What work can a barrister do?
The role of a Barrister remains essentially the same as when they are approached by a solicitor and they can advise you on your legal status or rights. Barristers can assist in drafting correspondence for you to send and can represent you in court, tribunals or mediations. Barristers can also negotiate on your behalf and can attend employment or investigative interviews and hearings where appropriate.
We are happy to discuss your enquiry with you and assess whether it is suitable for Public Access.
- What are barristers not allowed to do under the Public Access Scheme?
Examples of work Barristers are not allowed to undertake includes: handling your money, corresponding with the other side, issuing court documents on your behalf, contacting witnesses or collecting and investigating evidence. For further information, please see the Guidance for Barristers on Conducting Litigation from the Bar Standards Board.
If we’re unable to take on your case, we may be able to point you in the direction of a solicitor or other organisation who can help.
- What are the timescales involved?
As a guide, paperwork and advisory work takes anywhere between 7 – 28 days depending on a number of factors including:
- Availability of Counsel and/or their professional commitments;
- Availability of the client or relevant third parties such as experts and witnesses;
- The complexity of the case;
- The volume of documentation;
- The need for additional information, documents or clarification;
- The approach taken by the other side;
- Third parties intervening in the case; and
- Court responses and waiting times.
However, shorter deadlines may be achievable. Please make the clerks aware of any impending deadlines so consideration can be given to your timescales when trying to allocate you a barrister.
Court hearings from issue to a hearing or trial tend to take anywhere between 6 to 24 months excluding any possible appeals.
- What is the advantage of Public Access?
Public Access is a cost effective, transparent process which allows you to contact and instruct a Barrister directly.
- What are the costs involved?
Public Access cases are often charged at Barristers’ commercial hourly rates which are competitive in the legal marketplace. In some cases and where it is appropriate, work may be charged on a fixed fee basis. Fees are dependent upon a number of factors including but not limited to (1) the type of case (2) the complexity (3) the documentation (4) the work involved and (5) the seniority of the barrister.
As a guide you could typically expect to pay the following rates per hour according to level of Call:
KC £400 – £600 20 years plus £275 – £400 10-15 years £200 – £275 7 – 10 years £175 – £200 3 – 5 years £125 – £175 Second Six Pupil – 3 years £80 – £125 Please note, all information is correct as of 2025, but our hourly rates as set out above are estimates for information only. For a quote, please contact the clerks. All our fees are exclusive of VAT.
There will be no hidden additional costs. Any additional costs will be agreed and set out clearly in the client care letter provided to you. The most likely additional cost is reasonable travel expenses where a hearing or meeting is in a court or area outside of Manchester city centre.
Under the Public Access Scheme, our fees are paid in full prior to the Barrister carrying out any work.
- What is the process involved?
You should complete the Public Access enquiry form and email it to the relevant inbox (see below). This will then be forwarded on your behalf to a Public Access barrister in the relevant practice area for review. If we are able to accept your case we will send you a client care letter setting out what work we will do and the cost for doing so.
Only when you have given your agreement by returning a signed copy of the client care letter and the barrister has received payment will the agreed work begin.
- I want to request a barrister what should I do?
Please complete the form below.
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- Where can I get further guidance and information?
The Bar Standards Board’s Public Access Guidance document will explain how the scheme works and show you how you can use it.
In order to find a Barrister qualified to undertake public access work, please see our Public Access Directory below.
