Public Access
Key Stages & Indicative Timescales
Public Access allows members of the public, in appropriate cases, to instruct a suitably authorised barrister directly without first instructing a solicitor.
The precise stages and timescale will depend upon the nature of the case. The following provides a general guide.
- Stage 1
Initial Enquiry
You contact Chambers and provide:
- your contact details
- a brief explanation of the matter
- the name of the opposing party or parties
- relevant documents
- details of any court or tribunal proceedings
- details of any hearing date
- any relevant deadline
Indicative timescale: We normally aim to acknowledge enquiries within 1–2 working days.
Urgent enquiries should be clearly identified as urgent.
- Stage 2
Conflict Check and Assessment of Suitability
Before accepting instructions, Chambers and/or the barrister will consider whether there is any conflict of interest and whether the matter is suitable for Public Access.
The barrister may request further information before deciding whether instructions can be accepted.
Indicative timescale: Usually 1–5 working days after sufficient information has been received.
Urgent matters may be considered more quickly where the barrister is available.
- Stage 3
Quotation and Client Care Letter
Where the barrister is willing to accept the case, the work to be undertaken and proposed fee will be explained.
The client will normally receive a Public Access client care letter identifying:
- the work the barrister has agreed to undertake
- the work the client remains responsible for
- the fee or basis upon which the fee is calculated
- other relevant terms of the instruction
Indicative timescale: Normally within 1–5 working days of receiving sufficient information to assess the proposed instruction.
- Stage 4
Conference or Initial Advice
Where an initial conference is required, this may take place in person, by telephone or by video conference.
The barrister will consider the information and advise upon matters such as:
- the legal position
- prospects of success
- evidence
- procedure
- available options
- settlement
- the next steps
Indicative timescale: Usually within 7–14 days of instructions being accepted, subject to urgency and availability.
- Stage 5
Written Advice or Drafting
Where written advice or drafting is required, the barrister will consider the papers and prepare the agreed document.
This may include:
- written advice
- statements of case
- applications
- witness statements
- grounds of appeal
- skeleton arguments
- other legal documents
Indicative timescale: Straightforward work will normally be completed within 7–14 days after receipt of all necessary information.
Complex work may require 2–4 weeks or longer.
Urgent work may be completed more quickly where the barrister's professional commitments permit.
- Stage 6
Commencement or Management of Proceedings
The responsibilities of the barrister and client will depend upon whether the barrister is authorised to conduct litigation.
A Public Access barrister who is not authorised to conduct litigation may advise upon and draft the documents required, but responsibility for filing documents, corresponding with the court and performing other litigation functions will ordinarily remain with the client or a solicitor.
Where the instructed barrister is authorised to conduct litigation and has expressly agreed to undertake such work, the scope of those services will be identified in the client care letter.
- Stage 7
Preparation for Hearing
Before a hearing, the barrister may:
- review the evidence
- advise upon the case
- conduct a conference
- prepare submissions
- draft a skeleton argument
- consider relevant authorities
- prepare for advocacy
Indicative timescale: Preparation will ordinarily take place during the 1–14 days before the hearing, although substantial cases may require preparation over a longer period.
- Stage 8
Hearing
The barrister attends the court or tribunal and represents the client.
The hearing may last from a few minutes or hours to several days or longer.
The hearing date is determined by the relevant court or tribunal and is therefore outside Chambers' control.
- Stage 9
Judgment and Further Advice
Some decisions are given immediately at the conclusion of a hearing. Others are reserved and provided later in writing.
Where requested, the barrister may advise upon:
- the effect of the judgment
- costs
- enforcement
- settlement
- further proceedings
- the possibility of an appeal
Where further written advice is required after judgment, this will usually be provided within 7–14 days after receipt of the judgment and any necessary documents, subject to urgency and complexity.
Indicative timescales for particular types of case
Employment Tribunal
An initial advice or conference can normally be arranged within 1–2 weeks.
Drafting can normally be completed within 1–3 weeks, depending upon complexity and deadlines.
The overall period from commencement of proceedings to a final Employment Tribunal hearing may extend over several months or longer and depends substantially upon Tribunal listing arrangements.
Immigration Appeals
Initial advice can normally be provided within 1–2 weeks, subject to any applicable appeal deadline.
Preparation of appeal documents will ordinarily take 1–3 weeks after all necessary documents have been provided.
The time before an appeal is heard is determined by the Tribunal and is outside Chambers' control.
Urgent immigration cases will be considered as quickly as reasonably possible.
Civil Litigation
Initial advice will normally be provided within 1–2 weeks.
Drafting will ordinarily take 1–3 weeks.
The period between commencement of proceedings and trial can range from several months to considerably longer depending upon complexity, court directions and court availability.
Family Proceedings
Initial advice can normally be provided within 1–2 weeks.
The timetable thereafter will depend upon the nature of the proceedings and directions made by the Family Court.
Winding-Up Proceedings
Because insolvency proceedings can involve short statutory and procedural deadlines, clients should contact Chambers immediately after receiving a statutory demand, winding-up petition or notice of a hearing.
Where necessary and subject to availability, Chambers will endeavour to consider urgent instructions within 1–3 working days.
Factors affecting timescales
The timescales above are estimates only.
The time required may be affected by:
- the urgency of the case
- the complexity of the legal and factual issues
- the volume of documents
- the availability of the barrister
- the availability of the client and witnesses
- the need to obtain additional evidence
- expert evidence
- the conduct of the opposing party
- adjournments
- changes to the client's instructions
- court and tribunal directions
- court and tribunal waiting and listing times
Clients should inform Chambers immediately of any existing hearing date or other deadline.
Public Access guidance
Further information about instructing a barrister directly is available in the Bar Standards Board's Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients.
Temple Court Chambers recommends that prospective Public Access clients read that guidance before instructing a barrister.
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