FAQ

FAQ (Frequently asked questions)

We have included a number of the questions that are most frequently asked and the corresponding answers below.

What do barristers do?
What are the benefits of speaking to a barrister instead of a solcitor?
Is it always suitable for a barrister to take on cases directly?
What areas of law does Farnham Chambers specialise in?
What things can a barrister not do?
Who supervises barristers?

A: Barristers are lawyers that specialise in advice and court work, including preparing the papers and acting as advocates. Traditionally barristers have not been permitted to deal directly with members of the public. However this has recently changed.

Q: What are the benefits of speaking to a barrister instead of a solcitor?

A: In short, members of the public are able to cut out the middleman and therefore save a lot of money. Also, barristers are less expensive than solicitors, as barristers have lower running costs, and barristers generally charge for work on a fixed fee basis, instead of by the hour. Additionally, barristers have access to any level of court, whereas most solicitors are not allowed to appear in the higher and appeal courts. Furthermore, barristers are specialists in court cases, since their training and practice is focused on advocacy at trial, whereas solicitors spend the majority of their time outside of court (if they attend court at all). Finally, barristers tend to be experts in specific areas of law, since they are used to arguing the law at trial.

Q: Is it always suitable for a barrister to take on cases directly, without the involvement of a solicitor?

A: No, not all cases are suitable for barristers to conduct without a solicitor, but you will still be entitled to the help of a barrister if you ask your solicitor for this. Please feel free to email an enquiry, without obligation, to a barrister and he will determine whether the case is suitable for what is called "direct access". If it is not suitable, the barrister will attempt to recommend a good solicitor for you. Our email address is chambers@farnhamchambers.co.uk.

Q: What areas of law does Farnham Chambers specialise in?

A: Chambers has a particular specialisation in employment law and a wide range of civil disputes. So, this would cover any questions that may arise from an employment situation, including discrimination and dismissal, amongst many other areas. Civil disputes relate to matters that do not involve the criminal courts. This includes suing someone for money they owe you or defending a claim made against you.

Please email chambers@farnhamchambers.co.uk for more details

Q: What things can a barrister not do?

A: Barristers cannot look after client money - they can only receive payment for the work that they do. Barristers cannot correspond on a client's behalf - they can write a letter for you, but you have to send it yourself. Barristers cannot file court papers or pay court fees - again, barristers can prepare the papers for you, but you have to send them yourself, and you are responsible for paying any court fees. Barristers cannot conduct the conveyancing of properties, so if you want to buy or sell a house you have to go to a solicitor to do this. Also, barristers are required to maintain the highest levels of service, and are therefore required to continually monitor the progress of all the work they undertake - this means that if it is in your best interests to use a solicitor the barrister will have to tell you this, and may require a solicitor's involvement in order to continue with your case, even if he has already done some work for you directly (without a solicitor).

Q: Who supervises barristers?

A: The Bar Council supervises the work of all barristers. You can contact the Bar Council on 0207 242 0082 and you go to their website by clicking on this link or by pasting it into your web browser, http://www.barcouncil.org.uk .

Farnham Barristers Chambers

Barristers chambers covering Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex