Practice Areas

As a set of Common Law Chambers, Eighteen Carlton Crescent accepts work in Family (both private and public), Civil, Employment, Personal Injury and Crime;
whether it be advising, drafting or advocacy.

Until recently, it was not possible for members of the public to go to a barrister directly, they needed to use a solicitor, or some other recognised form of access. This has now changed. Although the barristers’ role remains the same, members of the public may now instruct a barrister direct (Public Access).

There are differences between the services offered by a barrister and a solicitor.

Barristers become involved where expert legal advice is needed or where documents need to be drafted, or for advocacy
Barristers are not permitted to offer some of the services provided by solicitors

Public Access is permitted in most areas of law…although there are exceptions.
The areas where Public Access is not permitted are as follows:

Criminal work: except in the following areas:-

Advisory work, except where proceedings have already started
Appeals from the Justices to the Crown Court against sentence only, and where no issue as to the calling of evidence of fact has arisen or is likely to arise
Appeals from the Justices to the High Court by way of case stated
Appeals from the Crown Court to the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, where no issue as to the calling of fresh evidence has arisen or is likely to arise
Appeals to the House of the Lords or Privy Council
Appeals to the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights

Family Work: except in the following areas:-

Advisory work or drafting, other than in connection with proceedings which have been commenced
Hearings before the Child Support Commissioner and the Child Support Appeal Tribunal
Appeals from the Justices to the High Court by way of case stated
Appeals to the Court of Appeal, where no issue as to the calling of fresh evidence has arisen or is likely to arise
Appeals to the House of Lords or Privy Council
Appeals to European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights

Immigration Work: with no exceptions

If you may be eligible for public funding, a barrister is likely to advise you to approach a solicitor with a franchise from the Legal Services Commission to investigate this possibility – your barrister is unable to apply to the Legal Services Commission for public funding on your behalf.

Once you know who you want to instruct, then contact the Chambers from which the barrister practises and speak to the Senior Clerk or Practice Manager. You will have to explain to them that you wish to instruct the barrister directly and the nature of the work, which you wish the barrister to undertake for you. It may be that they will ask you to send your written instructions (setting out the factual background to your case and what it is that you want the barrister to do). Alternatively, the barrister may decide that it would be appropriate in the first instance briefly to discuss the matter with you on the telephone or at a preliminary meeting to decide on the best way forward.

The law requires the barrister to obtain proof of your identity. This will be dealt with as soon as reasonably practicable after you have first made contact with the barrister and it is likely that this will take place after you make the initial contact.

The barrister will require satisfactory evidence of your identity – that is, proof of your name, date of birth and current address. The type of evidence required will depend on the circumstances.
For example:

If you are an individual, you may be required to produce in person your current passport or other national identity card or a new form of driving licence (with a photograph) together with a recent utility bill, bank or building society statement.
If you are acting on behalf of a company, you will be required to produce a certified copy of Certificate of Incorporation, the latest accounts filed at Companies House and evidence that you are authorised to act on behalf of the company.

To carry out these procedures properly, the barrister may well have to have a meeting with you. You will be told what to bring to the meeting. The barrister is required to take copies of the documents which you bring and to retain those copies for 5 years.