Anyone who has ever had to turn to the law to seek redress or to solve a dispute of some kind will tell you that it is not something that should be done lightly. It can truly be a daunting experience and there is no doubt that making sure that you have the right representation in court as well as the very best legal advice is paramount.
This means that it is vitally important to select the right barrister (or solicitor) and that in turn means you have to ask the right questions. Only that way can you be sure of a good match.
How can you find a list of barristers to approach?
If you are looking for a barrister, then you probably need to search for a Direct Access Barrister, and here the safest route to use the Bar Council’s direct access portal. This portal allows you to search using a variety of ‘filters’ so you can narrow down those to contact by the type of area they practice in, and how many years they have been qualified.
So what are the questions you should ask?
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Just how long have you been practising?
There is no direct correlation between experience and success, but it is common sense to assume that someone who has been practising law for years is more likely to be able to help when compared to a newbie in the profession. However, there are many junior barristers and lawyers who are very good at what they do, and as they are normally cheaper to retain, can be a good choice.
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Do you deal with my type of case?
Every case is different to some degree, but it is always best to select a barrister that has a good level of knowledge about your particular type of case. Finding someone who has a great depth of knowledge could save you a great deal of time and money.
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What is your fee structure?
Costs are always something that you have to bear in mind. And here, the good news is that barristers are obliged to give a guide on their pricing structure, at least for a number of areas of law. Then there is the matter of the fixed fee structure or if they charge by the hour. In all cases, get all the information in writing so that there can be no misunderstanding down the line.
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How will I be informed about developments on my case?
It is vital that both parties are kept aware of any developments in a legal case, so make sure that they have a good communication plan and that you agree on contact being made every day, week or month as is appropriate.
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Do they have any idea of how long the case will take?
If you have chosen wisely, the barrister should have a good idea of how long any case will take. However, as this is dependent on court availability, it can only be a rough guide.
- Do they think you have a chance of winning your case?
There can be no guarantee that anyone will win a case, only an idea based on probabilities when considering similar cases that they, or another barrister has represented in the past. This is another good reason to choose a barrister who has fought similar battles before. A good lawyer will always be upfront and frank about your chances and it is important to take their advice on board.
For more advice on selecting the right barrister for your case, please see the Thomas More Barristers Chambers website.
Interesting Related Article: “Top 8 Questions To Ask A Lawyer“