DIRECT PUBLIC ACCESS
Many of our barristers are able to accept instructions directly from members of the public. This means that you can access legal services without needing to instruct a solicitor first.
For many clients, this offers access to the services of a specialist barrister in a cost effective and straightforward way. A barrister with expertise in your required area of law can help you by providing legal advice, drafting documents and representing you at any court, tribunal or mediation hearing.
There will still be some situations in which a barrister cannot act directly on your behalf. Our clerks are able to assist and guide you in relation to any enquiries you may have about instructing a barrister directly. You can contact them by telephone on 1017 978 8482 or by email on info@claphamlawchambers.co.uk
The Bar Standards Board
The Bar Standards board has published guidance about how to instruct a barrister on a public access basis. This can be accessed below.
Direct Public Access (DPA) Clients Public Funding
Chambers has 9 barristers who are able to undertake work via Direct Public Access in the Areas of Immigration, Family, Civil and Crime.
To instruct a barrister you will need to contact us on 0207 978 8482 by telephone or email info@claphamlawchambers.co.uk and we will arrange for you to come and see someone in conference with our prices starting at £250 for 1 hour depending on who you choose. In the conference the barrister will look at your papers and take you through the next steps of your case or advise you generally.
Transparency Standards of Direct Access Fees
If you wish to appeal against a Home Office visa or immigration decision, our barristers can advise and represent you. You can ask us just to submit an appeal form, or ask for a hearing at the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) – our barristers can advise you about this.
The First-tier Tribunal can also itself decide to hold a hearing. Please note that barristers are not allowed to do legal aid work on a Public Access basis. To help you make an informed decision about whether to apply for legal aid or proceed with Public Access, you can use the legal aid eligibility calculator on the gov.uk website here.
Timescales
Timescales for our services may vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the complexity of your case and the need for additional documents. As you must appeal a decision within 14 days (from within the UK) or 28 days (from outside the UK), please contact the clerks as soon as possible.
Fees
You may also need advice and/or representation at short notice. If so, please contact the clerks: our barristers will aim to advise you and/or represent you at a hearing where possible. We may charge fixed fees, which means that we will charge you a set amount of money for the work.
Below we provide estimates based on the ranges of fixed fees for barristers at Clapham Law Chambers. All fees include Exclude VAT (where applicable). If we charge fixed fees, these 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. If you have a particularly complex case, your fees may also be higher than the estimates below.
| Stage of Case | Range of Fixed Fees (Estimates) |
| Written Advice on Appeal | £300 to £900 (Based on 2 Hours work) |
| Advising in Conference | £250 to £500 (Based on 1 Hour Conference) |
| Preparation of Appeal | £700 to £1,800 (Dependent on Complexity) |
| Case Management and Bail Hearings | £250 - £500 (London Tribunals) |
| Tribunal Appearance Including First Tier, Upper Tier & JR Admin and Court | £300 to £3000 (London Tribunal & Dependent on Complexity) |
We can offer the above services on an hourly rate basis dependent on seniority of counsel at Clapham Law Chambers. Our rates start at £250 per hour up to £500 per hour. Some of the barristers do charge VAT but depending on your circumstances you may not be eligible to pay VAT.
You will initially see a barrister in conference to discuss your requirements and they will then inform you of the ongoing costs relating to your case. You will be required to pay the fees in full before any work can commence and you will be asked to sign a client care letter to this effect.
Contact Us
All information is correct as of March 2021, but fees are estimates only.
For a quotation, please contact the Team on 0207 978 8482 or email info@claphamlawchambers.co.uk