Direct Access
You May be Able to Retain Me Directly
Direct Access
As a Barrister, I generally receive briefs from Solicitors, Legal Aid Organisations or Government Departments.
However, subject to the rules that apply to Barristers, in some cases, I may be able to provide my services directly to clients.
Direct Access may typically be acceptable for simple criminal matters or immigration law matters being dealt with at a Tribunal.
Please contact me to determine if you can retain me directly.
Rules for retaining me under Direct Access
Before you can retain me directly, I must advise you on:
the specific type of work I can and cannot do.
the fact that circumstances may require you to retain an instructing solicitor at short notice, and possibly during the case.
any other disadvantage which I believe on reasonable grounds may, as a real possibility, be suffered by you if you do not retain an instructing solicitor.
my relative capacity in performing my work to supply the requested facilities or services to you when compared to my capacity together with an instructing solicitor to supply the same services to you.
What work can I do under Direct Access?
As a barrister I can provide you professional legal services by:
appearing as an advocate for you.
preparing to appear as an advocate for you.
negotiating for you with the opponent to compromise the case.
representing you in a mediation or case appraisal.
giving you legal advice in criminal or immigration law matters.
preparing or advising on documents to be used by you or by others in your case.
acting as a referee, arbitrator or mediator.
carrying out work properly incidental to the work listed above.
What work I cannot do under Direct Access?
As a barrister I cannot:
act as your general agent or attorney in any business or dealings with others.
conduct contentious correspondence in the my name on your behalf with others (including public authorities) with whom that person is dealing, otherwise than the opponent.
place myself at risk of becoming a witness, by investigating facts for the purposes of appearing as an advocate or giving legal advice, otherwise than by:
conferring with the client, the instructing solicitor, prospective witnesses or experts;
examining documents provided by the instructing solicitor or the client, as the case may be, or produced to the court;
viewing a place or things by arrangement with the instructing solicitor or the client, as the case may be; or
library research.
act as your only representative in dealings with any court, otherwise that when actually appearing as an advocate.
serve any process of any court on your behalf.
conduct the conveyance of any property for you.
administer any trust estate or fund for you.
obtain probate or letters of administration for you.
incorporate companies or provide shelf companies for you.
prepare or lodge tax returns for you.
hold, invest or disburse any funds for you.
Urgent Matters
For any urgent matters involving detention or deportation, you can contact me at any time on 0499 000 699.