Public Access
If you have reached this page you may well have seen the type of work undertaken by members of Tanfield Chambers, or have seen details of the Public Access scheme on the Bar Council website.
The Public Access Team at Tanfield Chambers includes members who act in these practice areas.
- Commercial disputes
- Employment and Discrimination law
- Landlord and Tenant law
- Property disputes
- Contractual disputes (generally)
- Personal Injury
- Professional Negligence
- Construction industry contracts and disputes
- Consumer law
- Debt actions
- Partnership disputes
- Insolvency
- Company law
- International Litigation and International Dispute Resolution
- Family law
- Education including Special Educational Needs
- Estate planning, Wills and Probate
Public Access Barristers do what Barristers always do: provide specialist legal advice, draft legal documents including documents needed during litigation, and provide specialist representation and advocacy before Courts and other Tribunals.
You can be advised and guided through the legal process by the barrister rather than by a solicitor and the barrister. You can also seek advice about setting up a business, drafting employment and other contracts, with the aim of avoiding or reducing disputes in the future.
The potential benefits of Public Access are significant:
You only pay one legal advisor rather than two, and, since you are paying the one with lower overheads, this will usually be more economical than retaining the solicitor alone and will certainly cost less than instructing both;
You get direct access to specialist legal advisors and advocates, at a time of your choice - not just when a problem gets to Court;
You will normally know in advance the basis on which the work will be charged for;
If you do need a solicitor, or the help or advice of another specialist, then your barrister will tell you, and may recommend one.
What areas are suitable:
At Tanfield Chambers we believe that the following are particularly suitable for Public Access:
- Advisory work in all areas of law affecting individuals and businesses including legal documents, contracts, etc;
- Litigation support in all areas where legal proceedings are being made by or against individuals or businesses. For example advice about the merits of a claim or defence, procedural advice or representation at Court hearings;
- Second Opinions where Solicitors have already been retained;
- Advice and Representation before Tribunals including Criminal Compensation claims, Employment claims, Special Educational Needs and Disability Discrimination claims, and all other tribunals or formal hearings at which you are entitled to be represented;
Please note that due to the Direct Public Access Rules most family law disputes cannot be dealt with through Direct Public Access
How do I instruct a barrister at Tanfield Chambers?
If you want to instruct a barrister at Tanfield Chambers you should do one of the following: fill out the form below which will be emailed to clerks@tanfieldchambers.co.uk or if the matter is very urgent please ring 020 7421 5300 and ask for a barristers' clerk.
Further details about the Public Access scheme can be found here.
Enquiry Form
