NCDR Public Access
What is Public Access?
Public Access allows direct instruction of a Barrister without first having instructed a Solicitor. If you do currently instruct a Solicitor, then we would be unable to assist on a Public Access basis. Your Solicitor should contact us about your case.
Who Can Instruct a Barrister?
Anyone can instruct a Barrister whether you are a member of the public or director/partner of a business. However not all cases are suitable for public access and we will let you know if we think that this is the case (see next step).
How Much Will it Cost Me?
It is sometimes difficult to state exactly how much it will cost to instruct a Barrister. This can depend on the case type, the Barrister`s experience, preparatory work and case length. Your fixed fee may vary depending on your needs. Our most commonly used pricing models are fixed fees and hourly rates. All fees stated are plus VAT (where applicable). Fees are quoted on a case-by-case basis. Professionals, licenced access and lay clients may contact Chambers to obtain a quotation for our legal services. You can contact us on 01274 722560/0113 246 2600 or email clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk and our Clerks will respond to you within 3 working days.
Your case may require a conference. You will be notified of any additional costs before they are incurred.
All fees must be paid in advance before any instruction can be confirmed.
Can we accept all cases?
Not all cases are suitable for Public Access but our barristers can assess this based on the information you tell us about your case. Not all Barristers are accredited to accept a public access instruction.
Please complete the Enquiry Form that can be found at the top of this page and send it to clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can complete the form and post to Broadway House Chambers, 1 City Square, Leeds LS1 2ES. Please also send any relevant papers or documents that you have regarding your case.
We will assess the suitability of your public access instruction free of charge and let you know if we can assist you.
Meet our Public Access Accredited Barristers
Our public access accredited barristers can represent parties without a solicitor in NCDR cases.
What are the First Steps to Take?
Complete our enquiry form at the top of this page and email it to clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk or post to Broadway House Chambers, Devere House, Vicar Lane, Little Germany, Bradford, BD1 5AH.
A Clerk / Barrister will assess your enquiry and will contact you to let you know if we can assist on a public access basis.
A Clerk will contact you and quote a fee for our legal services and will explain the steps you must take. This fee will be quoted before any costs are incurred.
Dependent on the amount of information received, which Barrister you request and the complexity of the case, it may be difficult to give a timescale as to when we can reply to you. Please allow up to 3 working days.
Any fee must be paid via bank transfer before any instruction is confirmed.
When Your Case is Accepted
A draft written agreement outlining our terms of engagement and what the Barrister is and is not able to do will be sent to you. The agreement confirms the fees which are to be paid in advance. You will be notified about the payment timescales after we have assessed whether we can or cannot take on your case. Payments can be made by cheque (made payable to “Broadway House Chambers” and must clear first) or bank transfer.
Contact Us
Please contact us on 01274 722560 (Bradford) or 0113 246 2600 (Leeds) or email clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk. Please see Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients. Alternatively, you can contact the Bar Standards Board on 020 7611 1444 to ask about this (or e-mail ContactUs@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk).
Complaints
Broadway House Chambers aims to ensure that our clients are satisfied with the service they receive from all Members of Chambers and staff. However should you have a concern or complaint, we will investigate and respond as soon as possible. For more information please see our complaints procedure at the bottom of the page or you can be directed by clicking here.Our complaints procedure contains the following:
Any right you may have to complain to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) – the independent body which can help you if you have complained to your lawyer and are not happy with their response;
How to complain to the LeO and any time limits for making a complaint.
You can also search the decision data on the LeO’s website by clicking here. This shows providers which received an ombudsman’s decision in the previous calendar year, and whether the LeO required the provider to give the consumer a remedy. Alternatively, you can contact the LeO on 0300 555 0333 to ask about this (or e-mail enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk).