Direct Access
Direct access to counsel
The Public Access scheme allows members of the public and businesses to instruct an authorised barrister directly.
Zakir is Public Access qualified and authorised to conduct litigation. In appropriate cases he may therefore undertake both the traditional work of counsel and the litigation steps required to progress the matter.
Suitability
Not every case is suitable for Direct Access. A solicitor may be required where the case involves substantial evidence-gathering, client money, or functions more appropriately undertaken by a solicitor-led team.
Suitability is assessed at the outset and the appropriate structure advised before an instruction is accepted. The purpose is not to remove necessary legal support. It is to give clients direct access to counsel where that model is effective.
What Direct Access May Include
- Legal advice
- Written opinions
- Drafting
- Case strategy
- Correspondence
- Applications
- Appeals
- Litigation management
- Negotiation
- Representation at hearings
- Settlement advice
- Urgent applications