Public Access
Costs Other Than the Barrister's Fee
The fee quoted by a barrister normally relates only to the professional services which the barrister has agreed to provide.
Depending upon the nature of the case, other costs may be incurred.
These costs are not normally included within the barrister's fee unless expressly stated otherwise.
Court and Tribunal Fees
Court or tribunal fees may be payable for issuing proceedings, making applications, lodging appeals or taking other procedural steps.
The amount depends upon the particular court or tribunal and the nature and value of the proceedings.
Where applicable, the client is responsible for paying these fees directly.
Some clients may qualify for remission or reduction of court fees.
Expert Witness Fees
A case may require evidence or advice from an expert, such as:
- a medical expert
- surveyor
- accountant
- forensic expert
- employment expert
- valuation expert
- other specialist
Expert fees vary considerably according to the expertise required and the amount of work involved.
Where expert evidence may be required, the barrister can advise the client about this. Responsibility for formally instructing and paying the expert will depend upon the arrangements in the particular case and the barrister's authorisation.
Interpreter and Translation Costs
Where an interpreter or translation of documents is required, an additional charge may arise.
The amount will depend upon the language, volume of material, length of attendance and urgency.
Travel and Accommodation
Where a barrister is required to attend a hearing, conference or meeting outside their normal area of practice, reasonable travel expenses may be charged.
Where overnight accommodation is reasonably necessary, accommodation costs may also be payable.
Any anticipated significant travel or accommodation costs will normally be discussed with the client in advance.
Document and Bundle Preparation
Exceptionally large bundles, substantial copying, printing, scanning, document preparation or specialist document-management requirements may result in additional charges.
Where a third-party provider is required, the client will be informed where reasonably possible before the expense is incurred.
Solicitors
Public Access enables a client to instruct an appropriately authorised barrister without first instructing a solicitor.
However, not every case is suitable to proceed without a solicitor.
A barrister may advise that a solicitor should be instructed where, for example:
- the case involves substantial litigation management
- extensive disclosure is required
- substantial evidence must be obtained from third parties
- the client requires services which the barrister is not authorised or able to provide
- the complexity of the proceedings makes solicitor involvement appropriate
Any solicitor's fees will be separate from the barrister's fees.
Other Parties' Legal Costs
In court proceedings there may be a risk that the client will be ordered to pay some or all of another party's legal costs.
This is different from the fee payable to the barrister.
The rules concerning costs vary according to the type of proceedings. Your barrister can advise you about the potential costs consequences relevant to your case.
Additional Barrister's Fees
An additional barrister's fee may become payable where work is required outside the scope originally agreed.
Examples include:
- substantial additional documentation
- amended instructions
- additional conferences
- additional applications
- adjourned hearings
- additional hearing days
- further written submissions
- unexpected procedural developments
- urgent additional work
Where reasonably possible, any additional barrister's fee will be agreed with the client before the additional work is undertaken.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Our published indicative fees exclude VAT.
VAT will be added where the barrister instructed is registered for VAT.
Obtaining an Estimate
It is not always possible to predict every additional cost at the beginning of a case.
Where an additional cost can reasonably be identified, the client will be informed of its nature and, where possible, its amount or an estimated range before the cost is incurred.
Contact our clerks
If you would like to instruct any of our barristers, please contact our clerks in the first instance.
- Address
- 7 Bell Yard
- London
- WC2A 2JR
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 203 475 9952
- Regulator
- Bar Standards Board