Under investigation, arrested, or charged with an offence? Get clear, confidential advice on police station advice, court proceedings and appeals, direct from a specialist Direct Access barrister.
Tell us about your matter, in confidence, and we will match you with specialist Direct Access barristers. There is no charge to enquire.
We will be in touch shortly. If your matter is urgent, please call 020 3771 9301.
MyBarrister connects you with specialist Direct Access barristers who handle criminal defence matters. You get senior, honest advice quickly and in confidence, including honest guidance on whether a solicitor is also needed.
Direct Access, sometimes called Public Access, is a Bar Standards Board scheme that lets members of the public instruct a barrister directly, without engaging a solicitor first.
Criminal defence work is different from most other areas of law. A Direct Access barrister generally cannot represent you in a police station interview or conduct litigation in the way a solicitor does, such as managing correspondence with the Crown Prosecution Service and preparing the case file. If you need legal aid for a criminal matter, you will normally need to instruct a solicitor first, and the solicitor's firm will then instruct a barrister on your behalf under the legal aid scheme.
Direct Access criminal barristers are usually best suited to privately paying clients who want direct advice, case strategy, or a specific piece of representation, such as an initial view on the strength of a case, advice on plea, or advocacy at a bail application or hearing. When you enquire, we will tell you honestly whether a solicitor is needed alongside a barrister for your situation, or whether direct instruction is the right route.
A straightforward, confidential route to expert advice, with no pressure and no charge to enquire.
Complete the short form above with a few details, in confidence. There is no charge to enquire and no obligation to instruct.
We introduce you to criminal defence barristers whose experience suits your situation, and advise honestly if a solicitor is also needed for your case.
You agree the scope of work and fee with your chosen barrister in writing, then they get to work on your case.
Criminal defence covers a wide range of matters and stages. The barristers listed on MyBarrister cover the full picture, from early police station advice through to trial and appeal.
Advice before and after interview under caution, understanding your rights, and what to expect if you are arrested or asked to attend voluntarily.
Advice on the charge, the evidence against you, plea, and the likely course of proceedings once you have been charged or summonsed.
Advocacy at first hearings, trials for summary offences, and applications heard in the Magistrates' Court.
Representation at plea and trial preparation hearings, and advocacy at trial for indictable and either-way offences sent to the Crown Court.
Advice and representation on appeals against conviction or sentence, from the Magistrates' Court to the Crown Court and beyond.
Advice and defence work in fraud, money laundering, regulatory and business crime investigations and prosecutions.
Defence of serious driving offences carrying a risk of custody or disqualification, including dangerous driving and drink or drug driving.
Advice and representation in confiscation proceedings and other applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Applications for bail at the police station, Magistrates' Court and Crown Court, and appeals against bail decisions.
Being under investigation or facing criminal proceedings is stressful enough already. MyBarrister keeps the route to honest, specialist advice short, transparent and within your control.
The barristers we introduce you to are experienced criminal defence practitioners with significant Magistrates' and Crown Court experience.
Fees are agreed with your chosen barrister in writing before any chargeable work starts, whether fixed, hourly or a brief fee. No surprise bills.
Where Direct Access is the right route for your situation, you instruct the barrister directly, without paying a solicitor to instruct counsel on your behalf.
Every barrister listed on MyBarrister is regulated by the Bar Standards Board and carries professional indemnity insurance through the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund.
You choose the barrister and the scope of work, and we tell you honestly if a solicitor is needed alongside. No long retainers tying you in.
MyBarrister has been helping clients connect with specialist counsel for more than a decade, with introductions made across the full range of criminal defence matters.
See the full panel of criminal defence barristers on MyBarrister, with their chambers, year of call, areas of focus and direct access status.
Common questions about Direct Access, its limits in criminal cases, fees, and how to get started.
In principle, yes, under the Bar Standards Board's Direct Access scheme. In practice, criminal work has real limits. A Direct Access barrister cannot represent you in a police station interview or conduct litigation in the way a solicitor does, and for legal aid criminal cases you will usually need to instruct a solicitor first, who then instructs a barrister on your behalf.
Direct Access criminal barristers are generally best suited to privately paying clients who want direct advice, case strategy, or a specific piece of representation. We will advise honestly whether a solicitor is needed alongside a barrister for your situation.
A Direct Access criminal barrister can give you a candid view on the strength of a case, advise on plea and strategy, draft applications, represent you at a bail application or specific court hearing, appear at trial in appropriate cases, and advise on appeals against conviction or sentence.
What a barrister cannot generally do is attend a police station interview with you or manage the ongoing day-to-day conduct of a case in the way a solicitor does.
Generally, no. Attendance at a police station interview is normally provided by a solicitor or an accredited police station representative, often free of charge through the duty solicitor scheme.
A Direct Access barrister can advise you before an interview on what to expect and, in some cases, advise afterwards, but is not usually the person who sits with you in the interview room.
It depends on your matter. If you need legal aid, you will generally need to instruct a solicitor first, as criminal legal aid work is normally arranged through a solicitor's firm that then instructs a barrister.
If you are paying privately and want advice, strategy, or representation at a specific hearing, Direct Access to a barrister alone may be sufficient. We will discuss your situation and tell you honestly if a solicitor is needed alongside a barrister.
Fees vary depending on the stage of your case and the work involved. Barristers often quote a fixed fee for defined pieces of work, such as an initial advice, a bail application, or a single hearing, and a brief fee for trial work.
You agree the fee with your chosen barrister in writing before any chargeable work begins, so there are no surprises.
Legal aid may be available for many criminal matters, subject to means and interests of justice tests. Criminal legal aid representation is normally arranged through a solicitor's firm holding a legal aid contract, which then instructs a barrister where needed.
MyBarrister's Direct Access service is aimed at privately paying clients; if legal aid looks right for your case, we will say so.
Most enquiries are responded to within one working day. If your situation is urgent, for example an imminent court date, a police bail return date, or an upcoming interview under caution, please call us on 020 3771 9301 and we will prioritise the introduction.
Yes. Your enquiry is treated in strict confidence and is used only to introduce you to suitable barristers. Our handling of personal information is set out in our Privacy Policy. Once you formally instruct a barrister, legal professional privilege applies to communications between you and counsel.
Yes. All barristers listed on MyBarrister are regulated by the Bar Standards Board and hold a current practising certificate.
Every practising barrister carries professional indemnity insurance through the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund.
The barristers listed on MyBarrister practise across England and Wales, with members in London, the South East, the South West, the Midlands, the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and Wales.
Criminal justice in Scotland and Northern Ireland operates under separate systems, and we will tell you if your matter is better suited to counsel practising in those jurisdictions.
One of our team will contact you, usually within one working day, to understand your situation in a little more detail and in confidence. We will introduce you to one or more specialist criminal defence barristers whose experience fits your matter, and advise honestly if a solicitor is also needed. You decide whom to instruct, and the barrister agrees the scope and fee with you in writing before any chargeable work starts.
Yes. We introduce you to barristers who specialise in the relevant area of criminal law and whose experience matches your matter. You decide whom to instruct. You can also browse the directory and request a specific barrister by name.
Please call us on 020 3771 9301 as soon as possible rather than waiting for an email response. Tell us the date and what is listed to happen, and we will prioritise introducing you to a barrister who can help within the time available.
Our criminal defence barristers advise and represent clients on:
No. No honest barrister can guarantee the outcome of a criminal case, and you should be wary of anyone who suggests otherwise. What you can expect is a candid, professional assessment of the evidence and realistic advice on your options, so you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Tell us about your matter, in confidence, and we will introduce you to specialist Direct Access barristers who can help. There is no charge to enquire.
