Tag: public access barristers

Take action on sexual harassment with direct access barristers

Sexual harassment in Hollywood has recently hit the headlines, but statistics released by Opinium Research show that one in five women in the UK also have been sexually harassed in the workplace.

Unfortunately, this demonstrates that workplace sexual harassment is still a problem and not just in Hollywood. In fact, it’s not unlikely that you or someone you know has been affected, despite there being laws in place to protect workers like you.

Sexual harassment includes any type of unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature. This can be verbal, such as remarks about your body or appearance, non-verbal, for example staring at your body or sending texts of a sexual or physical nature, including physical contact of any kind.

If you have been a victim of sexual harassment, your first steps will usually be to speak to HR or complain to your employer to try and resolve the issue. If necessary, you can even take action through an industrial tribunal. However, if the tribunal is unsuccessful you may still want to seek specialist legal advice.

Did you know that you can contact a barrister directly for expert legal advice or representation for your case? Public access barristers are experts in the law and how it works and can advise you on your legal position, draft legal documents and even use their skills to represent you in a court tribunal or hearing.

Instructing a barrister directly can save you hundreds to thousands of pounds, whilst also ensuring you receive high-quality and experienced legal support. Barristers4U has access to 1000+ accredited barristers throughout England and Wales offering expert legal advice and representation.

Our video-conferencing facilities (such as Skype) mean you can speak to your barrister confidentially, no matter where you live. Obtaining a quote is free with no obligation, so you can compare quotes and choose the right expert for you. You only pay if you decide you’d like to instruct the barrister directly.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is never acceptable so if you have been affected by this behaviour, contact Barristers4U today for information and advice.

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Getting help from criminal barristers

When you’ve been arrested, it’s essential that you have access to legal help. Depending on the alleged offence, you could be facing a number of serious consequences. Whilst some offences carry the possibility of a prison sentence, you could also be subject to fines, ASBOs or community service.

In addition to this, the consequences of having a criminal record can be catastrophic. You may be unable to keep your current job and may find it extremely difficult to find other work, for example.

Often, when people are charged with a crime, they accept a caution in order to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Whilst this may be a viable solution, it’s important to get expert legal help from criminal barristers first.

Having a caution on your record could have an impact on your future and, with help from experienced direct access barristers, you may be able to avoid this. By seeking legal help, you can ensure that you are able to reduce the charges where possible and minimise the consequences.

Accessing legal representation with public access barristers

Although criminal law is a speciality in itself, barristers do operate in niche areas. If you’ve been charged with a traffic offence, for example, you may want to seek help from speeding barristers or drink drive barristers.

As public access barristers have a whole range of expertise, you’ll be able to find a lawyer who can provide the type of assistance you require. Whilst the matter may be resolved without the need to go to court, a criminal barrister can represent you in court if need be. This means that a public access barrister can deal with matters from start to finish and you won’t have to deal with a range of legal professionals.

What about the cost of using direct access barristers?

Although some people are eligible for Legal Aid in criminal matters, many people exceed the financial threshold and, therefore, must pay for their own legal representation. By working with direct access barristers, you can cut the cost of getting legal help and present an affordable defence.

To learn more now, why not contact our direct access criminal barristers today?

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Can civil dispute barristers help with tenancy issues?

Although there are various different types of civil disputes, disagreements between tenants and landlords are amongst the most common. Whilst tenants and landlords should always have a contract in place, tenants are afforded some rights by the law as well.

In addition to this, a situation which isn’t covered by the existing contract may arise and civil dispute barristers may be needed.

Often, it’s best to resolve issues amicably, if you’re able to do so. In some instances, however, this simply isn’t possible and it may be necessary to seek legal help. If tenants want to take action because they believe a landlord is evicting them unfairly, for example, they may want to access legal representation so that they can take the matter further.

Conversely, landlords may find themselves unable to remove tenants following the end of a lease. As these matters can end up going to court, it’s usually beneficial to seek help from experienced professionals, such as civil dispute barristers.

Can a barrister help you?

When you need legal advice, it can be best to contact a barrister directly. As well as being experts in their field, public access barristers can help to reduce the cost of taking legal action. If you’re instigating legal action or defending a claim made against you, direct access barristers can provide relatively low-cost legal support.

Whilst a solicitor may be able to provide help initially, it is a barrister who is most likely to represent you in court. Rather than using two legal professionals to resolve the matter, claimants can benefit from contacting barristers directly.

Should you take the matter to court?

Often, the involvement of legal professionals means that the matter can be resolved without actually going to court. In order to reduce the cost and length of time associated with a court hearing, claimants are more willing to negotiate, providing they are assisted by experienced lawyers.

Whilst you can resort to going to court if needed, direct access barristers can help you to resolve the matter via alternative methods, if they are available. To find out more about getting help with a landlord and tenant dispute, why not contact civil dispute barristers today?

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Protecting your assets with divorce barristers

When a couple divorce, it’s often a stressful and upsetting time. It can be made more difficult, however, if one party attempts to claim an unfair share of the matrimonial property. Unfortunately, this is often the case and, as a result, it’s important to have legal representation during divorce proceedings.

By accessing help from divorce barristers, you can ensure that you reach an appropriate settlement and that you obtain the assets and/or funds that you’re entitled to.

Selling the matrimonial home

Although one or both parties may be keen to keep possession of their home, this isn’t always possible. Once the property has been divided, it will be down to one party to try and buy the other out, if they’re able to do so.

If you’re awarded 50% of the property, for example, you should be able to stay in the home if you’re able to purchase the remaining 50% from your ex-partner. Clearly, if you’re awarded a higher percentage of the property, it should be easier for you to find the funds to buy the rest of the property.

It’s vital, therefore, that you have expert advice and assistance when you’re going through a divorce or separation. The financial arrangements which are made during this process are likely to have a significant impact on your future and you’ll need someone who can represent you appropriately.

Why should you use divorce barristers?

With limited Legal Aid available, divorce can be a costly process. Rather than using a solicitor to begin the process and then involving a barrister at a later date, you may be better off contacting public access barristers directly.

By doing so, you can access the legal help you need and reduce costs in the process. Direct access barristers ensure that they’re available to speak with clients directly so you can find out more about your legal rights and your options before you begin taking action.

Whilst no-one enjoys the process of divorce, it’s important to finalise the end of your marriage with legal assistance, or you could risk missing out on the assets you’re entitled to. To find out more contact divorce barristers today.

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Resolving neighbour disputes with help from direct access barristers

Unfortunately, disputes between neighbours occur all too frequently and they can have a significant impact on the people involved. While a disagreement may arise due to a fairly minor issue, it can quickly spiral out of control. As a result, people often find that neighbour disputes have a detrimental effect on their lives as a whole.

With many people keen to extend their properties, this is often a contentious issue for neighbours. Even when planning permission has been granted, disputes can arise if the actual work deviates from the plans in any way.

If neighbours assume that they have a right of way over your land, for example, you may need to take action against them. Similarly, if neighbours continue to use your property or land when you’ve asked them not to, civil dispute barristers may need to act on your behalf in order to resolve the issue.

Although many people aim to keep relations with their neighbours amicable, this is unlikely to happen if the dispute continues for months or even years. By taking action with direct access barristers, you can ensure that the issue is settled as quickly as possible.

How can civil dispute barristers help?

Civil disputes can arise in various forms and direct access barristers may be able to help. By working with an experienced lawyer, you can ensure that they have expertise in the relevant area of law and that they’re able to help manage your case.

As well as informing you of your rights and options, public access barristers can take the matter all the way to court, if needed. While there are often alternative resolutions available, you can rely on your direct access barrister to provide you with legal representation if the matter with your neighbour is referred to court.

What about the cost?

When people have a civil dispute, they sometimes seek help from a solicitor. In many cases, however, the issue is then referred to a barrister as well and this can increase the cost. One of the main advantages of using direct access barristers is the reduced cost of accessing legal representation.

By working with one legal professional, you can reduce your expenditure whilst still accessing the assistance you need. To find out more, why not contact a civil dispute barrister today?

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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?

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.

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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When can civil dispute barristers help?

When a disagreement occurs between two individuals or an individual and an organisation, it’s often referred to as a civil dispute. Unlike criminal cases, a civil dispute doesn’t involve the police and there is no evidence of unlawful behaviour. Despite this, civil disputes can have a significant impact on the people affected.

Civil dispute barristers may assist on matters such as defamation, negligence, trespass and property claims. In addition to this, barristers who specialise in civil disputes may also advise on claims concerning intellectual property, probate or competition.

Due to the complexity of these claims, both claimants and defendants are likely to need expert legal assistance. Whether you want to bring a civil claim or need to defend one, it’s likely that you’ll need advice from a civil dispute barrister at some point.

Can you afford to access legal advice?

Even when people feel that they have been wronged, they can delay making a claim or launching a case. Often, potential claimants are worried about the cost of seeking legal advice and this can prevent them from taking action.

Although the legal system has implemented changes to make the process more accessible, many people still find it difficult to access cost-effective legal advice. Indeed, the cuts to Legal Aid mean that fewer and fewer people are able to seek legal help when they need to do so.

Fortunately, using a direct access barrister helps to cut costs and ensures that claimants and defendants can access help, as and when they need to.

When working with public access barristers, you can approach them yourself and discuss your situation with them. Instead of paying a solicitor and a barrister, you can simply instruct a direct access barrister to handle the matter on your behalf, if you choose to do so.

Working with a direct access barrister

Before you instruct any barrister to carry out work on your case, however, you’ll want to get an estimate of how much you’ll need to pay and what the likely outcome of the case is. With direct access barristers willing to provide a free quote, you’ll have all the information you need before you decide whether or not you want to move forward.

To learn more now, why not contact a public access barrister today?