Chartlands is now able to offer Direct Public Access to clients.
Public Access Work (Information for lay clients)
Family Law
Mr Waqas Rashid and Mr Paul Tapper are registered to conduct Family Law work on a direct access basis. This can be purely for advice in writing or in conference, or at hearings at all levels of court. This includes advisory and advocacy work in the areas of:
- Child Law
- Financial Provision
- Domestic Violence
- Divorce
- Removal from jurisdiction
Immigration and Asylum
Mr Ishtiyaq Ali is registered to conduct advisory and advocacy services on a direct access basis. All levels of court and hearing types are included, such as:
- Entry Clearance
- Challenging delay
- Human rights
- Visa appeals
- Deportation
Chartlands is able to offer, in some circumstances, the instruction of a barrister directly, without the need to instruct a solicitor first.
Agreement to undertake work on your behalf will be subject to an initial assessment of your case. This can be done at a short meeting or on the telephone, and will not be charged for. Barristers are not able to conduct work under the Public Access scheme if you are currently in receipt of Legal Aid. You must also make the decision whether to instruct a barrister directly on a fee paying basis, if you believe you might be eligible for Legal Aid instead.
Barristers cannot carry out means assessment to establish whether you would qualify for funding, but you can use the Legal Service Commission’s Eligibility Calculator for this purpose. The link is: www.legalservices.gov.uk/civil/guidance/eligibility_calculator.asp
To instruct a barrister, please contact Chambers, preferably by email, fax, or post, with a brief outline of your case or what help you are seeking.
If a barrister is assigned to help, it may then be necessary to arrange a short free meeting or discussion, from which the barrister can identify:
- Whether he/she is able to take on your case.
- What steps need to be taken to progress your case.
- What the likely cost will be to instruct the barrister.
For further information on Direct Public Access, please see the Bar Council website (from our Links page), or telephone them on 0207 611 1472, email: PAenquiry@BarCouncil.org.uk