I saw the Bar Councils website yday, advertising( I thought ) a sheme introduced for a trial( ha ha ) period where public access to instructing a barrister for family cases was being allowed. I know you could not do this before, only for " non-contencious" cases. Rang Bar Council today and they say they know nothing about it- and womens name I saw who was in charge of scheme not in till Monday.
If anyone else has heard of this, please let me know.

Also, just want to say I get pretty sick of listening to these professionals and their jumped-up secretaries speaking to me- and, no doubt, coulntless other distressed and emotionally wrecked people- as if we are irritating fools for asking them for advice or help, and they are doing us the most ENORMOUS favour for considering whether they will offload us of vast amounts of money for the priviledge of speaking to us like we are idiots.

Rant over.

Hi there

They are currently consulting the FLBA (Family Law Bar Association) on fees, not direct access - there is no support within the FLBA for direct access to us because we believe that family clients usually require far more support than a barrister alone can give - for example, if you have an emergency or urgent query, your barrister is likely to be out at court all day and unable to respond to you. Barristers in chambers do not have secretaries or anyone else who can help you in that scenario.

Regarding your second paragraph, if you feel patronised by the professional that you have instructed, you need to seek another professional who you feel supported by and one you can get along with. Family cases are stressful enough without the added stress of not being able to get along or feel supported by your lawyer.

Amanda

I acted ‘in person’ at our First Appointment in July. (Explaining to the judge that I had run out of money for further legal fees) The judge immediately asked my husband to ‘lend’ me £10,000 so that I could instruct a barrister.

I found one through ‘google’ searching Chambers (in London) The Clerk was polite and friendly; said I could instruct his Family barrister by ‘Direct Access’ once I had reviewed the Client Care letter. (Submitting proof of identity, address etc)

However, ex’s sols decided they would only release the funds to a Solicitors Firm; (stating that I had misheard the judge!) You’re right: We’re not idiots! So, I wrote and complained to the judge who replied just this week:

.........“In my view the spirit of my comments in court and my attempts to ensure that Mrs. Sera Wiki obtains expert legal assistance to resolve this matter as soon as may be practicable will both be promoted if she consults (Barristers name withheld) through Direct Access. Mrs. Sera Wiki knows that a future sum is available for a specified purpose and it may be in fact cheaper for her to go direct to a specialist family counsel.”.......

Things have since been sorted privately with a Consent Order submitted. I won’t name the Chambers (or the barrister). It seems that once I’d informed them that there was a very limited budget (£8,700 to include disbursements; plus vat bringing it to £10k) they changed their minds – and didn’t want to know!

Barristers will not undertake the work of a solicitor; but if you’re really competent at letter writing, (secretarial role really!) then why not just cut out the middle man?

Thanks for that clarification, Amanda. i see what you mean about support. but, if you have self-repped throughout, get near to a hearing, and feel you would prefer a barrister, I think it would be useful to be able to choose AND engage one yourself.
as for my second paragraph, i was actually referring generally to some solicitors, the people I spoke to at the Bar Council and the Judge at my hearing. I happen to be at the top of my profession, and I am consulted regularly by lay-persons. I would not dream of patronising them.

Thanks again for the input you generously give to this site.

Thanks, Sera- that is amazing! Is your ex really rich, or something? I would love that to happen to me!I don't know how to find my fighting fund.

Can believe the recommended chambers lost interest, but at least your Judge sounds good.

Glad you got consent order sorted, well done!

Totally know where you are coming from, i too would like to instruct a Barrister direct but every avenue i go down, I get NO NO NO and definetly NO. I believe there must be something out there to help. Ranting with you!!

Feel free B-

It's been made clear one cannot instruct a barrister direct for Family law. But wouldn't it make sense , as you- or your sol, if represented- know the case best. Yet we are supposed to walk into court with someone we have only met and discussed case with, if lucky, an hour before. I'm not clear how it works that some lawyers CAN also represent you in court having handled your case all along the way- can Divorcelawyer perhaps explain?Sorry if I'm being dim about this.......