Why instruct a barrister?

As specialist legal advisers and advocates, barristers are self-employed practitioners with a unique specialism in legal advocacy.

Members of the Bar champion the rule of law, serving the administration of justice and the public interest. In exercising their duties both to their clients and the courts, barristers play a vital role in safeguarding the legal rights afforded to all citizens right across Northern Ireland

Legal aid may cover the services of a barrister and in serious cases, a KC. Whether you are legally aided or paying privately, you are assured of the highest quality of service.

Barristers operate a flexible and mobile approach to advising a wide range of clients, relying on the latest technology to serve their clients as well as the courts. Many practise from Belfast, but barristers are available and travel to towns and courthouses throughout Northern Ireland.

As a referral Bar, the usual route to a barrister is through a solicitor. Solicitors will be able to identify the most suitable barrister to deal with your case. Assuming that the barrister identified is available and that there are no conflicts of interest, they are under a duty to take on your case under the ‘cab rank’ rule.

Increasingly however, the public can access a barrister directly for representation or advise outside the traditional courtroom setting, offering services in alternative dispute resolution, arbitration and mediation. Click here to access the Barrister Mediation and Arbitration Service.