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Direct Access Family Barristers.
What they cost, when to hire one, and how to start.
A straightforward guide to instructing a Barrister directly in England and Wales. What it costs, what's covered, who it suits, and how to get a fixed-fee quote when you're ready.
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Direct Access explained
What is Direct Access?
Since 2004, the Public Access scheme has let anyone in England and Wales instruct a Barrister directly. Before that, you had to hire a Solicitor first who would then instruct a Barrister on your behalf. Direct Access removes that middle layer.
A Direct Access Barrister can advise you, draft documents, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you in Court. They're the same Barrister you'd get through the traditional route, with the same training, the same regulation, and the same Court rights.
The difference is in the fee structure (fixed, not hourly) and the route (one specialist, not two layered lawyers). For most family law matters, it's faster and more affordable. For some matters it's not suitable, and we'll tell you honestly if that's the case for yours.
At a glance
Traditional route versus Direct Access
Traditional route
Direct Access
Who you instruct first
A Solicitor, who'll instruct a Barrister later
A Barrister directly
Number of lawyers you pay for
Two: a Solicitor and a Barrister
One: your Barrister
Cost structure
Open-ended hourly billing
Fixed fee, agreed before you instruct
Speed of access
Weeks before a Barrister sees your case
Spoken to within 24 hours of enquiry
Who you instruct first
TraditionalA Solicitor, who'll instruct a Barrister later
Direct AccessA Barrister directly
Number of lawyers you pay for
TraditionalTwo: a Solicitor and a Barrister
Direct AccessOne: your Barrister
Cost structure
TraditionalOpen-ended hourly billing
Direct AccessFixed fee, agreed before you instruct
Speed of access
TraditionalWeeks before a Barrister sees your case
Direct AccessSpoken to within 24 hours of enquiry
Same Barrister, same qualifications, same regulation. The only thing missing is a layer you might not need.
What it costs
What does a Direct Access Barrister actually cost?
There's no fixed scale for Barristers' fees, every quote is agreed in writing before you commit. Here's a real-world sense of what you'd pay for family law matters.
Fixed-fee guarantee: the quote you receive covers the agreed work from start to finish. Your fee will not change unless the scope of the work changes, and we will always talk it through with you before anything does.
Compared to the traditional route
- A Solicitor's fees on top of the Barrister's, typically £3,000 to £8,000 to get to the same point
- Hourly billing, with no certainty about total cost
- Time delays while paperwork passes between firms
Direct Access typically saves up to 40% on total legal fees for the same outcome.
Who handles your enquiry
Every family law enquiry comes to me first.
I read every enquiry that comes through this page personally. Then I call you back with a considered view: whether Direct Access is right for your matter, which Barrister is the right fit, and a fixed fee in writing. No call centre, no junior intake team. Direct Access isn't right for every matter, and if it is not suitable for you, I will tell you on that first call and point you somewhere that can help.
Or call me direct on 0800 302 9921.
Joe Lafferty · HireABarrister
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I instructed Samantha with less than 2 weeks till the hearing on a case that has been going on for more than 5 years. I was impressed by Samantha's professionalism and attention to detail. Samantha was able to secure victory on a case that felt hopeless on paper. Highly recommend.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
From the first phone conversation where your calm voice, well, calmed me down, I knew everything was going to be alright. I am really glad you were there with me today, I really appreciate how you dealt with things and resolved things without the need for a full hearing. I would definitely recommend you!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I instructed Sarah and wow she went above and beyond for me, anything I was unsure of she reassured me and explained everything crossed that every 'T' dotted every 'I'.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Arlene represented me in my divorce proceedings. In this short time of representation, Arlene provided clarity and the utmost professionalism. I have seldom seen such a committed and dedicated person to a task. Arlene's eye for detail and determination to succeed in my case was truly remarkable.
Ready for a fixed-fee quote?
Tell us about your matter. We'll send a fixed fee in writing within 24 hours.
KFirst in the UK for Direct Access
Pay your Barrister in 3 interest-free instalments. With Klarna.
Legal fees shouldn't depend on whether you can pay everything up front. We're the only direct-access platform in England & Wales offering Klarna at checkout, so you can instruct a specialist when you need one, not when you can afford the lump sum.
- No interest. No fees.Pay the same total whether you pay up front or split it.
- Soft credit check onlyDoesn't affect your credit score. Eligibility confirmed in seconds at checkout.
- Available on every fixed-fee serviceFrom a £250 + VAT initial advice consultation through to full court representation.
Example fixed fee
Court representation
£850
or 3 × £284 over 3 months
Today
£284
›
+30 days
£283
›
+60 days
£283
Total paid£850
Interest£0.00
Indicative example. Final fee is agreed in writing before you commit. Klarna eligibility subject to status, 18+, UK residents.
How it works
Three steps from enquiry to representation.
A short form, a conversation with us, then a fixed fee in writing before you commit.
01
Tell us about your matter
Two-step form, about two minutes total. Tell us what's happening, any court dates, and how urgent it is.
02
We call you back
Joe reads every enquiry personally and gives you a considered view: whether Direct Access is right for you, which Barrister is the right fit for your matter, and a fixed fee in writing. Not a call centre, not a junior intake team. If your matter is not suitable for Direct Access, he will tell you on that first call.
03
Instruct directly, pay flexibly
No Solicitor in the middle. Sign the agreement online, pay up front or split with Klarna, and start working with your Barrister the same week.
Suitability
Is Direct Access right for your matter?
Direct Access fits most family law matters but not all of them. Here's a straightforward guide.
Direct Access suits
What we handle through Direct Access
- Divorce and financial settlement
- Child arrangements and contact orders
- Non-molestation and occupation orders
- Financial remedy proceedings (FDR, final hearing)
- Specific issue and prohibited steps applications
- Consent orders by agreement
- Most TOLATA disputes
- Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
Direct Access may not suit
Where another route fits better
- Cases requiring legal aid funding
- Highly contested cases with extensive disclosure
- Matters needing a Solicitor for day-to-day correspondence
- Cases where someone needs to hold client money
- International matters needing local Solicitor coverage
- Some complex Court of Protection matters
If your matter falls into the "may not suit" column, we'll tell you on the first call and point you to the right route. We don't take cases that aren't a good fit.
Think Direct Access is right for you?
Tell us what's happening and we'll send a fixed-fee quote in writing within 24 hours.
Common questions
What people ask before they get in touch.
Direct questions, direct answers.
Yes. Since 2004, the Public Access scheme has let members of the public instruct a BSB-regulated Barrister directly. It's the standard route for many family law matters today. Every Barrister on our panel is Direct Access qualified and professionally insured.
Still have questions? Call 0800 302 9921 or get a fixed-fee quote and we'll go through them, no pressure, no obligation.
Got your answer?
Get a fixed-fee quote for your specific matter. Or call us to talk it through first.
Ready to take the next step?
Find out if Direct Access fits your matter
Tell us briefly what's happening. We'll call you back, talk it through, and if Direct Access is right for you, we'll send a fixed-fee quote in writing within 24 hours.
Get your free fixed-fee quote
Step 1 of 2 · 15 seconds to start, 60 seconds to complete
Have a family matter you need handled properly?
Tell us what's happening. If Direct Access fits, you'll have a specialist Barrister identified and a fixed fee in writing within 24 hours. If it doesn't, we'll tell you what the better route is.
BSB-regulated panel · Klarna available · From £250 + VAT for initial advice