How to find a barrister?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Cocksure

Well-known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2005
Messages
4,713
Reaction score
1,799
Points
1,180
Location
Shrewsbury
I’ve reached the stage now that in order to go forward with my case I require the service of a barrister due to it being a specialist area. My lawyer did find someone, but as they failed my simple test then the search has started all over again.

Finding barristers is something that the lawyer charges for, so rejecting them isn’t a good long term move, but equally given how important they are it’s something that I feel I need to take a more hands on approach with in finding.

Does anyone have any advice or experience in finding a good match barrister?
 
Have you tried Costa? :)

Joking aside, do you know who the barrister was your lawyer approached? What was your simple test?

I'm assuming you have looked here: Find a barrister
 
Last edited:
Didn't he break the 4 minute mile?

Perhaps he was too slow.
 
Cocksure :p.

I think he has a law degree IIRC?
No degree, but dam right! :laugh:
Barristers cost a lot of money and make lawyers look cheap :( before I had over my hard earned cash I like to know that they are a good fit.

Its a simple test, I just ask why they became a barrister. The answer isn't important, its how they answer that matters. The one I rejected said no reason I just ended up here, which is a load of ****
as its one of the hardest jobs to get (even the law society recommends thinking very carefully before trying for the profession).

What I got was a safe answer, dont want a Barrister that plays it safe, I want a barrister that will take risks/stick there neck out.
 
Joking aside, do you know who the barrister was your lawyer approached? What was your simple test?

I'm assuming you have looked here: Find a barrister
Yes, so no fear of contacting them again by myself.

Thanks for the link, I've never needed to use a barrister before so I'm clueless at the moment and hadnt come across that site. Test is simple, I just ask them to say why they become a Barrister as how they reply tell you what type of person they are (safe/aggressive/cautious/etc)
 
Who tests a barrister?

Its a simple test, I just ask why they became a barrister. The answer isn't important, its how they answer that matters. The one I rejected said no reason I just ended up here, which is a load of ****
as its one of the hardest jobs to get (even the law society recommends thinking very carefully before trying for the profession).

What I got was a safe answer, dont want a Barrister that plays it safe, I want a barrister that will take risks/stick there neck out.

What a load of crap. You're not living in some sort of TV drama, where a 'test' by a layperson can decide if a legal expert is any good based on a pointless, inane question. This is the real world!

You have not tested whether this barrister was any good at his job by questioning his motives for doing it. You want a barrister that will take risks/ stick their neck out? Really? I think you've been watching too many legal dramas.

Do you 'test' other professions in the same way?

'Yeah, love, I sacked the paperboy off today - he's only doing it for a bit of cash over the summer holidays'
 
I do the same all the time and TBH I'm beginning to think the OH is getting right pee'd off with me asking her all the time.
 
Google them. Some barristers offer direct access in that they don't require a third party referral. Some do, some don't. They usually have a resume and contact details, through the Chambers website or BAR site. Easily sorted.

What you lose is the preparation and direction that the lawyer / solicitor can do, so balance it all up.
 
What I got was a safe answer, dont want a Barrister that plays it safe, I want a barrister that will take risks/stick there neck out

Screenshot_20180817-124856__01.jpg
 
My lawyer did find someone, but as they failed my simple test then the search has started all over again.
Wouldn’t it be simpler to ask how they have gone in work recently? Presuming this is the van fiasco maybe ask if they has done anything in the motor trade before?

Maybe I am overthinking it :D
 
What a load of crap. You're not living in some sort of TV drama, where a 'test' by a layperson can decide if a legal expert is any good based on a pointless, inane question. This is the real world!

You have not tested whether this barrister was any good at his job by questioning his motives for doing it. You want a barrister that will take risks/ stick their neck out? Really? I think you've been watching too many legal dramas.

Do you 'test' other professions in the same way?
I test different professions in different ways, but I always test, especially when big money is involved. I’m not going to say the cost involved as I’m sure you can imagine, but for the sums involved dam right I “kick the tyres” before hiring. As said the answer isn’t important only how they answer.

A list of cases/qualifications tells me nothing about the person, all barristers are qualified and specialise in different areas of law, all will have case history, so I need a way to see if we can work together, It’s not guaranteed but it gives me a guide on the person.

If they had said money for example I would have hired at once, equally refused to answer would have been fine as both answers are a risk to a potential new client.

There not doing the work for free or out of kindness, so it has nothing to do with tv dramas or the likes, why should hiring a barrister be any different from hiring a builder? I ask questions of a builder/accountant/lawyer so why would I treat a barrister differently.

Surely you don’t think I should bob my head, remove my cap etc in there presence! There just people after work like everyone else.

I like to take risks in court, I like to be very hands on in cases by reading the legal acts and very involved with the directions taken, over ruling my solicitor is common for me, so any barrister must be up for the same or it won’t work. So in that you are right it is also a test for them in regards me. If they don’t like that question then they won’t like me saying no think again
 
I thought this thread was going to be about making coffee :(
 
I thought this thread was going to be about making coffee :(

"what would you like sir?"
"first, why did you want to become a Barrister?"
"sir I think you want the legal offices next door"
<crosses Costa off list>
"sorry, it's a no from me"
"..."
 
Have you considered using a solicitor advocate instead?

Solicitor advocate - Wikipedia

In many instances the problem with barristers is they'll only take 'instructions' from the lawyers representing you (technically the barrister works for your lawyer), so you play an expensive form of chinese whispers at times, whereas a solicitor advocate can be employed directly.

I agree with your sentiment, in many instances the barrister chosen is because of a prior relationship with the lawyers rather then their specialisation in the case law of the matter.

GL.
 
I test different professions in different ways, but I always test, especially when big money is involved. I’m not going to say the cost involved as I’m sure you can imagine, but for the sums involved dam right I “kick the tyres” before hiring. As said the answer isn’t important only how they answer.

A list of cases/qualifications tells me nothing about the person, all barristers are qualified and specialise in different areas of law, all will have case history, so I need a way to see if we can work together, It’s not guaranteed but it gives me a guide on the person.

If they had said money for example I would have hired at once, equally refused to answer would have been fine as both answers are a risk to a potential new client.

There not doing the work for free or out of kindness, so it has nothing to do with tv dramas or the likes, why should hiring a barrister be any different from hiring a builder? I ask questions of a builder/accountant/lawyer so why would I treat a barrister differently.

Surely you don’t think I should bob my head, remove my cap etc in there presence! There just people after work like everyone else.

I like to take risks in court, I like to be very hands on in cases by reading the legal acts and very involved with the directions taken, over ruling my solicitor is common for me, so any barrister must be up for the same or it won’t work. So in that you are right it is also a test for them in regards me. If they don’t like that question then they won’t like me saying no think again

Very interesting take you have here. In my experience every solicitor (who would generally of course also instruct me or my firm and hence I may have a conversation with them) who has recommended a barrister has done so on past performance in the cases closest to the one at stake; though that performance can be based on having seem them cross examining so it can be along the lines of where you are heading; just not the "million dollar question" approach you seem to have.

Often money is an issue and so you end up with a series of barristers the solicitor passes on to suit their clients' budget.

I've chatted to solicitors enough over the years to hear enough of them comment on non professional aspects of a barrister (personality!) and to feel they couldn't give a monkey about how much of a shit the barrister may be if they can get the result.

It's extremely unlikely I could help given I experience only a certain field, but what area of law are you after a barrister?

Otherwise you could do worse than googling websites of the benches and talking to the Clerks, who in my experience are very down to earth. Sure you need a solicitor to instruct a barrister but you can certainly find your own and instruct your solicitor to instruct that one!
 
In many instances the problem with barristers is they'll only take 'instructions' from the lawyers representing you (technically the barrister works for your lawyer), so you play an expensive form of chinese whispers at times, whereas a solicitor advocate can be employed directly.

It definitely does not have to be Chinese whispers. I've routinely liaised directly with barristers acting on my behalf, and have directly liaised with them, sometimes but rarely, in the presence of principals when I've been an expert. However yes, you do end up paying for a solicitor and barrister.... but then you need to pick your fights carefully as clearly they get expensive.

And yes.. technically the instructions come from the solicitor, but if you directly speak / e-mail your barrister they would usually be open to taking directions (to avoid 'instruction) from you and/or expect that instruction formally in due course.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

The latest video from AVForums

Is Home Theater DEAD in 2024?
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Back
Top Bottom