Barristers advice, directly from an experienced barrister.
Specialist legal advice without needing representation at a hearing. We place counsel for members of the public and for solicitors working on live cases across England and Wales.
Advice from a barrister without a hearing
There are many situations where you may need specialist legal advice from a barrister without necessarily requiring representation at a hearing. Clerk&Counsel provides access to barristers across England and Wales who can advise both members of the public and solicitors actively working on cases.
Whether you are dealing with a dispute yourself or are a solicitor looking for specialist counsel's opinion on a particular issue, we can help identify a suitable barrister from our panel. If you already know you need an advocate for a listed hearing rather than advice, start instead with find a barrister.
Barristers advice for members of the public
The Public Access scheme allows eligible members of the public to instruct a barrister directly without first instructing a solicitor. You can read more about how the scheme works on our direct access barristers page.
Depending on the circumstances, a barrister may be able to review your documents, provide written or verbal advice, advise on the strengths and weaknesses of your position, explain your available options and recommend what steps you should consider next.
This can be particularly useful for litigants in person who are managing their own case but need specialist advice at an important stage.
Public Access barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board, and information about the Public Access scheme is also available through the Bar Council and its Direct Access Portal.
Not every case is suitable for Public Access. A barrister will consider whether they can properly undertake the work and whether you would be better served by also instructing a solicitor. Public Access should also not be treated as an alternative route to legal aid. Where appropriate, clients should check their eligibility for legal aid before deciding to fund legal advice privately.
Advice is commonly sought in family, employment, property, contract and probate matters, though the panel covers a far wider range of work.
Barristers advice for solicitors
Clerk&Counsel also works with solicitors who need specialist input from counsel while continuing to conduct the case themselves. Our service for solicitors covers advisory instructions as well as advocacy.
A solicitor may instruct a barrister to provide an opinion on a discrete legal issue, review the merits of a claim or defence, advise on evidence, consider litigation strategy or provide advice ahead of negotiations, mediation or court proceedings.
This gives solicitors access to specialist expertise without transferring responsibility for the underlying matter.
Our panel covers a range of practice areas, enabling our clerking team to identify counsel based on the nature and complexity of the case, the expertise required and the timescale involved.
How Clerk&Counsel works
Tell us about the matter and the type of advice you require. Our clerking team will review the enquiry and identify an appropriate barrister from our panel.
Where possible, we will establish the scope of work and obtain a clear fee quotation before the instruction proceeds. Once instructed, the barrister provides the legal advice directly to you or, where professionally instructed, to your firm.
Clerk&Counsel provides the clerking and administrative service. The barristers on our panel remain independent, self-employed practitioners regulated by the Bar Standards Board. You can read more about how we work.
Instruct a barrister for legal advice
Whether you are a litigant in person looking for advice about your own case or a solicitor who needs specialist counsel input on an active matter, Clerk&Counsel can help you find an appropriate barrister. Speak to our clerking team about instructing a barrister for advice.
Common questions.
Can I get advice from a barrister without a solicitor?
Yes. Under the Public Access scheme an eligible member of the public can instruct a barrister directly for advice, without first instructing a solicitor. The barrister will check that the work is suitable for direct instruction before accepting it.
What does barristers advice usually include?
It normally means reviewing your documents, setting out the strengths and weaknesses of your position, explaining the options open to you and recommending the next step. Advice can be given in writing or in a conference, in person or remotely.
How much does advice from a barrister cost?
It depends on the area of law, the volume of papers and the seniority of counsel. A written advice is normally quoted as a fixed fee once the papers have been reviewed, so you know the cost before the instruction proceeds.
Is Public Access an alternative to legal aid?
No. Public Access should not be treated as a substitute for legal aid. Where legal aid may be available, you should check your eligibility before deciding to fund advice privately.
Can solicitors instruct counsel for advice only?
Yes. Solicitors regularly instruct counsel for an opinion on a discrete issue, a merits review, advice on evidence or advice on strategy, while continuing to conduct the case themselves.
How quickly can advice be provided?
Timescales depend on the urgency and the papers. Where there is a deadline or a listed hearing, tell the clerking team when you send the enquiry and we will identify counsel with the availability to meet it.