Category: Mediator

When do you need family barristers?

Unfortunately, personal relationships can sometimes end acrimoniously and it may be necessary to seek legal support in order to resolve the issue. When a marriage or civil partnership breaks down, for example, specialist divorce barristers may be needed. As well as helping to dissolve the union, divorce barristers can help to ensure that matrimonial or joint property is split fairly.

Whilst any type of divorce can be complicated and upsetting, the issue may be more complex if there are children involved. In such cases, the parties may wish to use family barristers so that issues of custody can be resolved. In addition to this, parties may wish to access legal advice so that they are able to access an appropriate amount of child maintenance from their ex-partner.

Getting legal help during a divorce

Although the law aims to ensure that parties can end a marriage or civil partnership fairly, this can be a difficult process. Whilst the law can seem complicated, people are also dealing with a traumatic period in their lives and may feel somewhat vulnerable.

Due to this, it’s vital that people have access to the appropriate legal help. Whilst it may be tempting to concede your legal rights in order to resolve the matter more quickly, you could regret this in the long-term.

By working with direct access barristers, you can ensure that your divorce or family matter is dealt with appropriately and resolved permanently. Although many people worry about the cost of seeking legal advice, using public access barristers can help to ensure that you’re able to access the help you need on a cost-effective basis.

Low cost legal representation from family barristers

Traditionally, people normally consult a solicitor before instructing a barrister to represent them as well. Whilst this can work, it can also be unnecessarily costly. Rather than using two legal professionals, you can access the help you need from public access barristers directly. This enables you to get professional legal help without paying more than you need to.

With barristers able to provide a quote prior to carrying out any work, it’s easy to find out just how much legal advice, assistance and representation is likely to cost. To learn more, why not contact a direct access barrister today?

Avoid a speeding conviction with expert legal help

As all drivers know, adhering to the relevant speed limit is vital when you’re in control of a vehicle. Failure to do so can put the driver at risk, as well as jeopardising the safety of his or her passengers and other road users. While it’s crucial that drivers adhere to the rules of the road, there are times when people may inadvertently exceed the speed limit and, if caught, they could face a number of sanctions.

If the situation constitutes a minor offence, the driver may simply have points placed on their licence or be required to attend an educational course. Once a driver has a specific number of points on their licence, however, they will lose their licence and be unable to legally drive. If the original speeding offence was more serious, a driver could be charged with a criminal offence and they may lose their licence straight away. They could even face a custodial sentence.

Can a barrister save my driving licence?

If you need help from a speeding barrister, it’s likely that you’ve been caught or charged with a motoring offence. With numerous speed cameras situated on roads across the country, it’s not surprising that so many people are caught exceeding the limit each year.

In many cases, however, a public access barrister can help you to contest the charges aimed at you and prevent you from facing any sanctions, such as the loss of your licence or a monetary fine. If you’ve been faced with a more serious criminal allegation, such as driving without due care and attention, a criminal barrister may even be able to help you avoid getting a criminal record.

With legal help from experienced barristers, you can save a significant amount of money. With thousands of pounds to be saved, using direct access barristers ensures that you have access to cost-effective legal help. Furthermore, contacting a barrister directly means that you can discuss your case in detail and get the specialist help you need.

To obtain a quote or to discuss your need for legal representation, contact a direct access barrister today.

Dealing with a false allegation

If you’ve been accused of a crime, it’s vital that you seek legal help as quickly as possible. Whilst thorough police investigations can help to weed out false allegations, this isn’t always the case. In many instances, victims of false allegations can find themselves in court. Depending on the specific allegation, you could even be facing a custodial sentence as a result of false testimony.

Although criminal barristers are adept at dealing with these type of cases, it can be extremely stressful for the accused. As a false allegation can have an impact on your working life and your personal circumstances, it’s essential that the matter is dealt with quickly and confidentially.

Whether the alleged victim has made a genuine mistake in accusing you of a crime or if someone has intentionally misled the police, criminal barristers can help ensure the truth comes to light.

Getting help from direct access barristers

Unfortunately, people can find it difficult to access the legal help they need due to the costs involved. Often, people in need of legal assistance will approach a solicitor for advice. Following this, their solicitor will then instruct a barrister on their behalf. Whilst this can be effective, it does mean that the cost of obtaining legal representation is increased.

Rather than using a solicitor and a barrister, why not contact direct access barristers straightaway? You’ll have access to expert help, reputable legal representation and you’ll be able to reduce the costs associated with legal action as well.

Your current location needn’t be a barrier to using public access barristers either. Whilst you may want to meet your criminal barristers on a face-to-face basis, you’ll also have the opportunity to liaise with them via secure video conferencing facilities.

If you’ve been accused of conduct you didn’t commit or if you’re facing criminal charges, why not seek help today? By discussing your situation with experienced criminal barristers, you can access the help and advice you need.

With the cost of legal representation reduced, public access barristers ensure that everyone has access to the assistance they’re entitled to. To find out more, contact Barristers4U today.

Drink driving: know where you stand

When found guilty of a drink driving offence, individuals can expect to be banned from driving for at least a year, receive an unlimited fine or face up to six months in prison. When faced with these consequences, it is not uncommon to feel fearful, distraught or overwhelmed and lose sight of the reality of the situation. However, things may not be as disastrous or clear-cut as they first seem.

Required procedures

In any drink driving case, there are procedures that police must follow for a conviction to be valid. Expert drink drive barristers or speeding barristers will have experience in defending similar claims and will know which details to question, to ensure that the arrested party is not forced to accept an unreasonable punishment.

One example of a procedure that is vital to understand is the breath test. Devices used to conduct the test have been known to produce unreliable results in situations where no more than a single spirit and mixer have been consumed. A drink drive barrister can obtain calculations to determine the precise amount of alcohol in the body at the time of the test, as well as taking a careful look at the process surrounding the arrest and investigation.

Expert insight

Another example would be that there could occasionally be an unusual reason for an individual’s behaviour. Generally speaking, the court will not entertain drink driving of any kind; however, a drink driving barrister will know when a special reason can be argued. It might even be possible to demonstrate to the court why a more favourable stance should be taken.

The consequences of failing to obtain expert help demonstrate the importance of doing so: the increased cost of car insurance; the need to declare the conviction to an employer or when travelling overseas; the loss of employment where this is dependant on the ability to drive; and, of course, the penalty itself. A drink drive barrister will examine any possibility of a reduced sentence and can review an employment to determine whether there is any duty to inform an employer.

Deciding not to seek assistance may seem like an easier option, especially during stressful circumstances, but, by using a trained legal professional, individuals stand the best chance of clarifying where they stand and not having to suffer any undue consequences.

At Barristers4U, we are particularly experienced at helping you save your driving license, but we don’t stop there – we have over a thousand accredited barristers who can provide you with expert advice on all aspects of the law. To get a free quote and find out how we can help you, contact us today.

Who is cheaper – a barrister or a solicitor?

Whether you’re looking to clear up a construction issue, a family dispute or looking for someone to handle your divorce, a lot of the time the primary consideration is cost. The legal system can be notoriously expensive, especially if your case involves a lot of work and a lot of hours. That’s why it makes sense to seek out the most cost-effective solution to your problem, but which solution is cheaper, a solicitor firm or direct access barristers?

What’s the difference?

The first thing to remember is that barristers and solicitors are both lawyers, but they are different types of lawyer thanks to their training and expertise. In England and Wales, the legal system is ‘split’, meaning there is a division of labour between solicitors and lawyers.

One key difference is that solicitors are not self-employed whereas barristers are. That means a barrister is not permitted to form a company or a partnership. Instead they are sole traders, and thanks to changes in the regulations over the past decade, public access barristers with all sorts of legal expertise are available to hire by the public directly. Using a barrister means clients will have access to a specialist in a particular area of law. Whilst it’s true that solicitors sometimes do specialise in a certain area, primarily they are litigators. This involves conducting meetings with the client, working out a case, carrying out communications with the solicitors on the other side as well as sorting out any paperwork.

Barristers spend more time in court than solicitors and are the ones who deal with witnesses as well as give evidence to the judge. Whereas it’s still commonplace for a solicitor to come to court in order to support a barrister, either by having files to support a barrister’s case or by taking notes, more and more barristers are attending court without the aid of a solicitor. This is because it’s more cost-effective for the client.

Why are barristers more cost-effective?

A barrister is usually the most cost-effective way of going through the legal system because they are paid by their work. A solicitor meanwhile will charge by the hour. When you pay a barrister, you are only paying for what you need, such as their expertise and time. With a solicitor, however, you’re paying additional costs which contribute towards the running of a solicitor’s office.

It’s highly likely that the most cost-effective solution to your legal problem is direct access barristers. In order to receive quotes from highly qualified barristers who will specialise in the area of law you need help in, enter your details at Barristers4u. Remember, getting a quote is completely free and you only pay once the barrister has been directly instructed by you.

How direct public access helps you

Historically, the public could only access barristers through a solicitor. It was the solicitor who would have to instruct a barrister to represent their client, meaning the public were unable to gain potentially crucial advice from a legal expert. Recognising this problem, regulators decided to make a series of sweeping changes in 2009 and promptly changed the regulations in order to allow direct access barristers. Ever since, members of the public have been able to go to a barrister directly, which has a range of advantages, not least a potential saving of hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

Barristers operate as specialist advisers as well as advocates. The direct public access scheme makes public access barristers a possibility, meaning members of the public are fully entitled to deal directly with their barrister, cutting out the need to spend money on instructing a solicitor at the same time.

How direct public access helps

Direct public access allows you to take responsibility, should you wish, for all of the preliminary work yourself. That work may traditionally have been undertaken by a solicitor, so there are huge potential savings on offer should you wish to contact a barrister directly.

It also allows you to control the costs yourself. As standard, you will get a breakdown of the costs for every element of your case. This will be in the form of a contract between the barrister and yourself, meaning there is no possibility of you being charged for more than what has previously been agreed.

With a direct access barrister, you will be getting a specialist in your type of case. Whether it’s social media defamation, sexual harassment, a construction dispute, family law or another matter entirely, direct access allows you to go straight to an expert. That means you’ll get impartial and honest advice over how best to take your case forward. Due to the fact barristers will have undergone years of study in their specialist field, they will be able to quickly identify all the salient features of your problem and give you the specialist advice you need.

To instruct a direct access barrister to handle your case, obtain a free, no obligation quote from Barristers4u today.

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What to do if you suspect medical negligence

If you feel that you’ve not received the optimum standard of care from a healthcare provider, you may have a case for medical negligence. An experienced legal firm of healthcare barristers will be able to advise you on whether you have good grounds for a claim.

Do you have grounds for a medical negligence claim?

A medical negligence action is likely to be successful if you can prove that a healthcare professional breached their duty of care to you resulting in damage or injury to your person. Common types of malpractice suits involve:

• cosmetic surgery mistakes
• surgical errors
• wrong or delayed diagnosis of serious conditions
• dental malpractice
• injury sustained during childbirth

Although many people pursue medical negligence claims in the hope of being awarded financial compensation, you could simply settle for an admission that the care you received was substandard and an apology.

In order to discern if a clinical case exists, you will need to establish the following criteria:

1. That there is a duty of care between you and your treating clinician. (This is never contested as there will always be a duty of care between healthcare professional and patient).

2. That the standard of care you received was insufficient and the duty of care has therefore been breached.

3. That as a direct consequence of the poor treatment you received, you have suffered pain, discomfort, or complications, which would not have occurred had the treatment been up to the expected standard. This is termed, ‘avoidable harm’.

What should you do if you think you have a medical negligence claim?

Medical negligence law is an extremely complex personal injury field. It’s therefore recommended that you seek advice from an experienced healthcare barrister. You’ll need to provide documentary evidence to support your claim. This evidence will include:

• written accounts of what happened, provided by you, your family, and any other witnesses involved

• access to your medical records

• details of prescriptions and receipts for any corrective medical treatment you have undergone in order to rectify the negligent treatment

• details of any loss of earnings or costs you have incurred as a result of the alleged negligence

Seek advice today

If you suspect that you have been the victim of medical negligence by a healthcare professional, you may be able to make a claim against them. Contact a healthcare barrister near you through Barristers4U for a free, no-obligation quote today.

How a barrister could help with your will dispute

Seeking out family barristers directly could prove to be highly beneficial if you find yourself involved in a will dispute. Not only is a barrister uniquely positioned to be able to provide you with advice on legal matters, but they can also help when it comes to strategy.

Expertise

It may be the case that you’re already working with a solicitor on your will dispute, but a barrister could be able to add an additional layer of expertise, especially when it comes to negotiation strategy, or if you have a court hearing coming up. Many barristers are specialists in contentious probate, and deal with similar types of issues every day, in a huge range of situations. That means a barrister is best positioned to objectively look at a will dispute and can spot any potential weaknesses in an argument.

Objectivity

Whilst a solicitor may be involved in the conduct of your case day to day with tasks such as writing letters, procedural dealings, gathering any evidence and preparing documents, a barrister will be able to take a step away from the case. Due to the fact barristers are usually self-employed and independent, they will be able to provide both objective and wholly practical advice which could prove to be crucial. They will advise on the strength of your case, whether you’re bringing a case or defending, and can also map out a strategy to follow in order to secure the best possible outcome.

Case assessment

After all the evidence has been gathered and some initial negotiations are underway, a barrister can once again prove to be indispensable. Their objectivity can be used to make a realistic assessment of any claim and whether or not it would be successful if the case were to proceed to court. It’s worth remembering that barristers are more than just experts in the area of law they specialise in, they are also highly trained when it comes to court procedure. They can assess all the practical matters which could either strengthen or weaken either a claim or a defence in a will dispute.

If you think your will dispute could benefit from the unique perspective of a barrister, then we have over a thousand highly skilled and fully accredited direct access barristers just waiting to help. Enter your contact details and a brief outline of your case to receive a completely free, no-obligation quote today.

Find an expert barrister for your sexual harassment claim

Sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable – period. Unfortunately, it still happens despite laws to protect workers.

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment constitutes any form of behaviour of a sexual nature that is unwelcome. The majority of complainants are women, although men can also be the victims of sexual harassment.

It’s important to remember that harassment is not about having a laugh or a ‘bit of fun’, it’s about control and power. Sexual harassment can manifest itself in many different forms but can be broadly placed into three groups:

Verbal

If a colleague makes remarks about your appearance, your body or your clothes, that is deemed to be sexual harassment, as are indecent remarks, questions or comments about your sex life or requests for sexual favours, and wolf-whistling.

Threats or promises concerning the loss of your job or changes to your employment conditions in return for sexual favours are deemed to be sexual harassment.

Non-verbal

• Looking or staring at your body
• Displaying images of a sexually explicit nature i.e. pin-ups or calendars
• Sending texts of a sexual nature
• Sending emails of a sexual nature or containing explicit images

Physical

• Physical contact of any kind
• Sexual assault
• Rape

What can you do if you are a victim of sexual harassment?

If the sexual harassment continues after you have confronted the perpetrator and complained to your employer, you may seek redress through an industrial tribunal. In the event that your tribunal is unsuccessful, you should seek the advice and intervention of a solicitor or specialist employment lawyer.

However, you can also go to barristers direct for expert legal advice or representation in your case for sexual harassment, potentially saving you thousands of pounds. At Barristers4u we have over a thousand accredited barristers throughout England and Wales, so you can be sure that you will find a specialist in sexual harassment cases to represent you. For your convenience, we can set up video conferencing facilities, so that you can have confidential discussions with your barrister, wherever you are located in the UK.

If you think you are a victim of sexual harassment at work, don’t suffer in silence. You can obtain a free quote from a barrister with no obligation, so why not contact us today for more information and advice.

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Taking action with healthcare barristers

In the UK, we’re very lucky to have access to the National Health Service as well as private medical services. While most people receive good treatment via both private clinics and NHS providers, sometimes things do go wrong.

If a physician is negligent, for example, it can have catastrophic consequences. By failing to provide the right treatment, a doctor could potentially cause a fatality or subject a patient to additional treatment.

In some instances, this type of medical negligence can also cause patients to suffer long-term effects. Due to the severity of this, it’s important to take action if you’ve been the victim of a medical error. By seeking help from healthcare barristers, you can find out if you’ll be able to launch a medical negligence claim and, if so, what the likelihood of success is.

Obtaining compensation for medical negligence

When you take action with direct access barristers following a medical error, you may be able to obtain compensation. Whilst this won’t remedy the situation and give you back your health, it can provide practical help.

If medical negligence has left you unable to work, for example, public access barristers could help you to claim back the cost of your lost income and your future loss of earnings. While your health is always more important than your finances, money worries can cause a lot of stress.

By obtaining compensation with help from healthcare barristers, you can focus on recovery and dealing with any long-lasting symptoms, rather than worrying about your financial situation.

In addition to this, taking legal action with direct access barristers may increase awareness of medical negligence. In doing so, you could encourage healthcare providers to revise their existing regulations in order to ensure that no-one suffers in the same way you have.

Working with direct access barristers

When you take action with barristers direct, you can reduce the cost of obtaining legal assistance significantly. Rather than paying a solicitor and a barrister, you can simply talk to a public access barrister directly and obtain the help you need.

With over 1,000 experienced barristers providing direct access services, you should find it easy to access legal advice. To find out more, why not get in touch with a public access barrister today?