Go straight to the expert. Hire a Family Barrister directly.
You'll know your Barrister, the work and the fixed fee before you pay anything.
Facing family court or need advice? Get specialist help with children, divorce and finances.
Privately funded advice and representation.
“Thanks to Joe for finding me a great barrister”
Specialist help, without paying a Solicitor and a Barrister.
Direct Access with HireABarrister
Up to 40% less
than paying a Solicitor and a Barrister for the same work
Fee agreed in writing before you decide.
Compared with the traditional route of paying a Solicitor and a Barrister for the same work. The saving is on total legal fees and depends on your matter.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 302 9921.
Barristers regulated by the Bar Standards Board and professionally insured- Children, divorce finances and family court hearings
- You choose your Barrister. Nothing is instructed without your agreement.
- Every review rated 5 stars on Trustpilot
Children. Divorce. Finances. Hearings.
Not sure where yours fits? Tell us in the form and we will check.
Child arrangements
Advice and representation when arrangements for your children are disputed.
Divorce and finances
Specialist help with financial settlements and financial remedy hearings.
Family court hearings
A Family Barrister to prepare for and represent you at your hearing.
We also help with non-molestation and occupation order applications, subject to suitability and Barrister availability. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Three ways to do this
You can run a family case yourself, go through a Solicitor who brings in a Barrister, or go straight to the Barrister.
- On your ownCourt feesand your own time
- Direct Access with HireABarristerOne fixed feeagreed in writing firstUp to 40% less
- Solicitor, then BarristerTwo sets of feesbuilding as the case goes on
| On your own | Direct Access with HireABarrister | Solicitor, then Barrister | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advice on your options | Worked out from GOV.UK guidance and the court forms, with no one to check your reading of them | Specialist advice from a Family Barrister on the part of the case you need | Advice through a Solicitor, who brings in a Barrister when the case needs one |
| Statements and documents | You draft your own statements and applications | Your Barrister can draft statements, position statements and applications for you | Your Solicitor drafts them, charging for their time on each one |
| At the hearing | You speak for yourself in front of the judge | Your Barrister prepares and represents you in the Family Court | A Barrister is usually instructed to attend, with their fee on top |
| Filing and court admin | Yours to do | Usually stays with you. Your Barrister explains what remains yours, and we help with the practical arrangements | Your Solicitor handles it, as part of their fees |
| What it costs | Court fees only | One fixed fee for the agreed work, including VAT where applicable, agreed before you decide | A Solicitor's fees, plus a Barrister's fee for advice or court |
Compared with the traditional route of paying a Solicitor and a Barrister for the same work. The saving is on total legal fees and depends on your matter.
Why it pays to get this right
The judge works from the papers
The court decides on what it reads and hears. Clear statements and a well-prepared case put your side in front of the judge.
These decisions last
Orders about children and money shape family life for years, and a final financial order is very hard to change later.
Dates matter
The court sets a timetable. Papers that arrive late may not be read, and a hearing can be put back.
How Direct Access works for your family case
Direct Access lets you hire a Family Barrister without going through a Solicitor first, where your case is suitable.
Get help with the part of your case you need: specialist advice, drafting legal documents, preparing for a hearing or representation in the Family Court.
| Step | What happens | What it costs you |
|---|---|---|
| Tell us what is happening | Your contact details, then a sentence or two about your matter. Include any hearing date or deadline. | Free |
| We check suitability | We tell you honestly whether you can instruct a Barrister directly. Some matters still need a Solicitor, and we will say so. | Free |
| You get your quote | We put forward Barristers who suit your matter, each with their proposed work and fixed fee in writing. | Free, with no obligation |
| You decide | You choose whether to proceed and with whom. Nothing is instructed without your agreement. | One fixed fee, paid before work begins |
| Your Barrister does the work | Advice, drafting, preparation or representation, as agreed. We keep documents and communication moving. | Any extra work is priced and agreed before it starts |
You do not have to instruct a Barrister for your whole case. The work and fixed fee are agreed before you proceed, and your Barrister explains what they will handle and what remains your responsibility.
What your Barrister can do
You instruct them for the part of the case you need.
- Advice on your optionsWhere you stand on the children, the money or the next hearing.
- DraftingStatements, position statements and applications, for you to file.
- Preparing for a hearingWhat the hearing is for, what to bring and what will be asked.
- RepresentationSpeaking for you in the Family Court.
When Direct Access may not suit
Most limits are practical, and we check them first.
- Legal aid casesDirect Access is for privately funded matters. If legal aid applies, a legal aid Solicitor is the route.
- Some court steps stay with youFiling documents and managing proceedings remain your responsibility unless your Barrister is authorised and agrees to take them on.
- Some matters need a SolicitorWhere a case needs a Solicitor throughout, we will say so before you spend anything.
The Barrister confirms suitability before any work begins.
Meet some of our Family Barristers
Subject to suitability and availability.
What our clients say on Trustpilot
Excellent experience with hireabarrister. I had been looking for a direct access barrister on a family matter for days before I came across this organisation. Joe was very quick to reply to my query and placed me with a barrister who was the perfect fit for our matter. The fees were reasonable. I can't thank Joe enough and would highly recommend this organisation to others.
Good communication and easy to send documents etc, using this was stress free, Thanks Joe, top customer service! I was given 4 or 5 choices of barrister, not pressured into any of them, Would use again and recommend to friends and family if they needed something like direct access.
I used hire a barrister recently to help with an ongoing legal dispute. I found the portal and process to be far easier than the "old" style that is still used by this industry. The whole process was streamlined and was far more reasonably priced than I had been quoted by going through a solicitor.
Before you get in touch.
Still have questions? Call 0800 302 9921 or get a free fixed-fee quote. No charge to enquire, no obligation to instruct.
Picture the day of the hearing: your Barrister has read your papers, you know what they will cover, and the fee was agreed before any work started.
Find your Family Barrister. Get your free quote.
Get a free fixed-fee quoteFree quote. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call 0800 302 9921. Lines are open 8am to 8pm.
