Public Access
Public Access
What is Public Access?
Public Access allows anyone to instruct a Barrister without having to engage the services of a solicitor.
Who can instruct a Barrister?
Anyone can instruct a Barrister whether you are a member of the public or director/partner of a business. However not all cases are suitable for public access and we will let you know if we think that this is the case (see next step).
How much will it cost me?
It is difficult to state exactly how much it costs to instruct a barrister. This depends on the case type, the barristers experience, preparatory work and case length. Your fixed fees may vary depending on your needs – for example, your fees may be towards the higher end of the range if you need a more experienced barrister and/or you have a more complex case. Our most commonly used pricing models are fixed fees, hourly rates and CFA. All fees stated are plus VAT (where applicable and further information regarding this can be requested from our Fees Clerk Conor Allen at clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk). These fees are quoted on a case to case basis and professionals, licenced access and lay clients may contact Chambers to obtain a quotation for our legal services. You can contact us on 01274 722560/0113 246 2600 or email clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk and a clerk will respond to you within 3 working days.
Some cases, which escape the fee range provided, may result in additional costs. Refresher fees (subsequent days of the main hearing where the main hearing exceeds one day). are therefore stated within the above document. Your case may also require a conference prior to the hearing and you can find a fee range for this within the document above. You will be notified of any additional costs before they are incurred.
For certain types of cases clients may be entitled to Legal Aid. However, we are not qualified to advise as to whether your particular case, or you as an individual, would qualify for Legal Aid. To find out more information regarding Legal Aid please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-legal-aid-means-testing / https://www.gov.uk/guidance/civil-legal-aid-means-testing or contact a solicitor regarding your eligibility.
Can we accept all cases?
Barristers at Broadway House Chambers practice in Crime, Family Law, Employment Law, Civil Law, Immigration Law and Sports Law. Not all cases are suitable for Public Access.
Complete our Enquiry Form and email your form to clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk.
Alternatively, post to Broadway House Chambers, Devere House, Vicar Lane, Little Germany, Bradford BD1 5AH. Please also send in any relevant papers or documents that you have regarding your case. We will assess the suitability of your public access instruction free of charge and let you know if we can assist you.
Public Access Accredited Barristers
Family
Civil
Crime
Employment
Immigration
Sport
You can also search for our Barristers on the Bar Standards Board Register at https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/regulatory-requirements/the-barristers’-register/.
The Bar Standards Board Barristers’ Register shows who has a current Practising Certificate and whether a Barrister has any disciplinary findings which are published on the Barristers’ Register in accordance with the Bar Standards Board’s policy. Alternatively you can contact the Bar Standards Board on 0207 6111 444 to ask about this (or e-mail ContactUs@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk).
What are the first steps to take?
Complete our Public Access Counsel Enquiry Form and email it to clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk or post to Broadway House Chambers, Devere House, Vicar Lane, Little Germant, Bradford, BD1 5AH.
A Clerk/Barrister will read your papers and will contact you to let you know whether your case is appropriate for Public Access.
A Clerk will contact you and quote a fee for our legal services and will explain the steps you must take. This fee will be quoted before any costs are incurred.
Dependent on the amount of information received, which Barrister you request, the complexity of the case and the Court date which you provide, it may be difficult to give a timescale as to when we can reply to you. We always aim to respond to you within the same working day however please allow up to 5 working days (dependent upon hearing dates). For more information on timescales please telephone 01274 722560 or email clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk.
When your case has been accepted
A draft contract outlining our terms of engagement and what the Barrister is and is not able to do, will be sent to you. The contract also outlines the fees payable to the Barrister and their hourly rate. The agreed fees are to be paid in advance (not on account). You will be notified about the payment timescales after we have assessed whether we can or can not take on your case. Payments can be made by cheque (made payable to “Broadway House Chambers”) or bank transfer.
Contact us
Please contact us on 01274 722560 (Bradford) or 0113 246 2600 (Leeds) or email clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk. Professional, licenced access and lay clients may contact Chambers to obtain a quotation for our legal services. Please see here Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients. Alternatively, you can contact the Bar Standards Board on 020 7611 1444 to ask about this (or e-mail ContactUs@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk).
Complaints
Broadway House Chambers aims to ensure that our clients are satisfied with the service they receive from all Members of Chambers and staff. However should you have a concern or complaint, we will investigate and respond as soon as possible. For more information please see our complaints procedure at the bottom of the page or you can be directed by clicking here. Our complaints procedure contains the following:
Any right you may have to complain to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) – the independent body which can help you if you have complained to your lawyer and are not happy with their response;
How to complain to the LeO and any time limits for making a complaint.
You can also search the decision data on the LeO’s website by clicking here. This shows providers which received an ombudsman’s decision in the previous calendar year, and whether the LeO required the provider to give the consumer a remedy. Alternatively, you can contact the LeO on 0300 555 0333 to ask about this (or e-mail enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk).
