The general rule was that you could only engage the services of a barrister through a solicitor. This meant that if you wanted a specialist barrister’s services or advice, you had to contact and pay for the services of a solicitor first.

Now this has fully changed: the Public Access scheme allows members of the public to contact and engage the services of a barrister directly without the need to go through a solicitor or OISC registered advisor first. By doing so, they can expect to save time and money.

Jan Doerfel is accredited under the Public Access scheme and you can approach him directly for advice and representation in his areas of expertise, including asylum and immigration.

This means that you will have direct contact with a barrister who will be in charge of your case throughout - whether in helping you to make an initial application for leave, or in appealing a Home Office decision, in lodging a fresh claim or in conducting your judicial review. You will not - as previously - have to specifically request a solicitor to see the barrister which would have resulted in extra fees.

By instructing a barrister directly you are dealing throughout with the person who has ultimate responsibility for your case and who will represent you in court. This means that the barrister will be in a much better position to keep you informed of vital information he requires from you and will make sure that the case is 100% prepared - as he will be facing the consequences in court if it is not!  

You will be able to ask an expert barrister your questions as soon as you instruct him - and will not just meet him on the day of the court hearing as happens so often when you instruct a solicitor who then instructs a solicitor.

By instructing a specialist barrister directly, you cut out the middle man (the solicitor or legal adviser), you ensure greater legal accountability, you benefit from competitive fees for expert advice and representation and you ensure that the person who represents you is the person who is dealing with your case on a day-to-day basis.