Direct Access Briefing

Advantages to a Lay Client

Advantages to a lay client in directly using a barrister can include costs savings in bypassing a solicitor while gaining access to a legal practitioner who has specialist skills in dealing with Court appearances and the rules of evidence.

Instructing a barrister directly by a lay client is called a direct access brief.

FindMyBarrister.com.au can help lay clients find a barrister in Brisbane and find a barrister in Queensland although most are based in Brisbane.

Applications for direct access work are on a case-by-case basis.

In an appropriate case barristers may accept a direct access brief, although please note the law in Queensland is that they are not required to do so. Some matters may not be suitable for directly briefing a barrister and may require the administrative and legal resources of a solicitor and barrister working together or may be solicitor's work alone.

As a general rule we can assist in finding a barrister for:

• criminal matters in the Magistrates Court
• matters before QCAT
• traffic matters
• domestic violence applications
• Fair Work Australia proceedings including unfair dismissal claims
• Appeals from WorkCover to Q-COMP and appeals from Q-COMP decisions to the Magistrates Court

Personal injuries compensation claims are not suitable for direct access briefs.

Direct access briefs cannot be conducted on a no win no fee basis.

Barrister’s liability is limited under a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.