HOW TO USE A BARRISTER - FOR SOLICITORS
Why should a solicitor use a barrister? There are many good reasons for doing so:
- Barristers are specialists - Barristers are specialist litigators. They can assist solicitors and their clients with all aspects of the dispute resolution process from initial advisory work through to Court appearances, and can do so efficiently and effectively.
- Barristers provide second opinions - Even for experienced solicitors, situations may arise where it is useful to obtain a second opinion on a particular issue. It may be complex, outside of the solicitor’s particular expertise and/or significant reliance is to be placed on the advice. A barrister provides not just expertise but independence and objectivity.
- Barristers can alter client perception – Instructing a barrister brings a fresh perspective to an issue, and second opinion from one can often be effective in changing a client’s perception. Whether it is because the same message is coming from an objective source, or simply because it is adding to the volume of what a solicitor has already said, the frequent reality is that the message gets through. Because a barrister generally does not have the ongoing relationship with a client that their solicitor does (because they are instructed by the solicitor rather than the client), barristers are free to ask the difficult questions, or to ask them in a manner different to that asked by the solicitor.
- Barristers can help solicitors manage their work - Few busy litigation practices can succeed without the assistance of barristers. Barristers can be instructed on an ad hoc basis and often at short notice. They can appear at times when a solicitor cannot be at court personally, or it would uneconomic for them to do so.
I am happy to have a preliminary chat with you about any matter (at no cost) and can advise you whether I can help, or if not, I will be able to recommend someone who can.