In the 5 years since the Public Access scheme was introduced in 2004 it has become increasingly significant as a method of obtaining legal services. Following the Bar Standards Board’s Review of the Public Access Rules, the scope of permitted work is being extended further to include family, crime and immigration.
The potential benefits of Public Access to the consumer are now being recognised by many organisations and business people, as well as by members of the general public. Users of the scheme report that barristers instructed directly are approachable and deliver a high quality service. In the right circumstances a Public Access barrister can represent a client in court. Naturally, those who go directly to a barrister have more control over their case, and very often save money.
The individual stories in this booklet are therefore timely, and provide invaluable illustrations of how the scheme actually works in practice.