Under the Public Access Scheme (PAS) members of the public, and commercial and non-commercial organisations can now instruct barristers directly on most civil matters.

Members of Chambers who have been approved by the Bar Council to accept work under the Public Access Scheme can be approached through the clerks with a request that instructions will be considered under the PAS. No solicitor needs to be retained to instruct counsel in such cases.

Information about instructing a Public Access barrister can be found on the Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients page on the Bar Standard’s Board’s website.

Those members who have been approved to accept such instructions are:

Kuldip Singh QC 

Christopher Stoner QC

John Machell QC

Hugh Norbury QC

Prof Jonathan Harris QC (Hon.)

Andrew Francis

Giles Richardson

Thomas Braithwaite

Jennifer Haywood

Jonathan Fowles

Suzanne Rab

These members have indicated to the Bar Council the areas of work in which they will accept PAS instructions. These areas are shown on the Bar Council web site or can be obtained from the clerks, who are always happy to assist those seeking information under the PAS.

The terms on which barristers accept instructions under the PAS can also be found on the Bar Council web site. The clerks are always happy to discuss fees and where requested will provide estimates.