Welcome to 33 Bedford Row Private Client
For over one hundred years it was not possible for private clients to directly instruct barristers; instead they were compelled to instruct solicitors who would then in turn instruct the barrister on the client's behalf. The Bar was very much a referral profession, in a similar manner to consultants and surgeons in the medical world, requiring a referral from a GP before they can be accessed.
The century long restriction on clients being able to directly engaged barristers was removed in 2004, with the introduction of the Bar Council's Direct Public Access Scheme.
Since 2004, members of the public and businesses have been permitted to go directly instruct barristers. Once instructed, the barrister can provide detailed expert advice and assistance, and if required, representation at court and in other tribunals/forums, without incurring the often unnecessary additional expense of also employing a solicitor.
Whilst there are certain matters, such as aspects of complex litigation, where the engagement of a reputable firm of solicitors is indispensible, there are other contentious and non-contentious legal matters where it is manifestly advantageous to "Go Direct" to an experienced barrister.
Our Direct Public Access barristers are able to assist across a wide range of legal areas, including commercial, civil, criminal, and immigration matters. They are able to meet with private clients in our conference room and library at our beautiful Grade II Listed Georgian town house premises at 33 Bedford Row, or at another convenient location. Our barristers are able to represent private clients at courts, mediations and other forums throughout England and Wales, and a number of barristers are qualified to represent clients in other jurisdictions around the world.
Members of 33 Bedford Row are able to offer a wide range of contentious and non-contentious services to private clients.
These include:
- Advising on property rights
- Advising on employment rights
- Advising on and drafting trusts
- Advising on and drafting wills
- Advising on and drafting Pre-Nuptial and Post Nuptial Agreements
- Advising on family matters
- Advising on and enforcing consumer rights
- Advising artists and creative professions on intellectual property
- Drafting and advising upon contracts
- Representation in negotiations
- Mediating disputes between private clients and other parties
Engagement
Members are able to assist, for instance, in the following ways:
Advice
- Providing oral advice at a conference in Chambers
- Providing oral advice at your place of work
- Providing written advice known as "opinions"
Representation
- Representing you at Court
- Representing you in meetings with your employer or before the Employment Tribunal
- Representing you in negotiatons
Drafting
- Drafting court documents
- Drafting contracts and agreements
- Drafting letters
- Drafting wills, deeds and other important documents
Mediation
- Mediating disputes between family members or between you and a third party
Working Practices
Barristers are individual self employed professionals. If you engage a barrister you are engaging the services of that individual, you are not engaging the services of Chambers. However Chambers is able to assist you in engaging the services of several barristers should the breadth or complexity of the work require it. Although each barrister is engaged seperately they will be able to work closely together to assist in meeting you needs and objectives.
Traditionally barristers are engaged for a fixed "brief fee", or on an hourly rate, depending on the nature of the work. Depending upon your needs, you may also be interested in entering into a "retainer" with a barrister - whereby for a fixed monthly fee, the barrister undertakes upto a certain number of hours work for you per month.
If you require the assistance of the barrister on a full time basis over an extended periods of time, you may wish to have the barrister seconded to you or your company on a self employed basis.
For more information please speak to our clerks on 020 7242 6476 or email clerks@33bedfordrow.co.uk
You may wish to look at the profiles of barristers who undertake Direct Access