Would like to hire a Barrister

[HYG]

Hi,

Had a Court hearing in the week, claimant lied through his back teeth and convinced the gullible judge to give him more time to submit docs.

My first appearance in a Court - totally underwhelmed by the the 'well spoken' but completely naive judge - what has the Country come to when these people are allowed to make decisions. What world do they live in?

I'm thinking I will instruct a Barrister to handle the trial - any recommendations on who I should appoint. Based in West London.

Judges need not reply - thank you.

[charitynjw]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Have you tried http://www.directaccessportal.co.uk/search/1/barrister

I can't (& wouldn't) give a personal recommendation.

[Kati]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

You could have a look on our sister site LBCompare too ... links in my signature and at the top of the forum xx

[Diana M]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Had a Court hearing in the week, claimant lied through his back teeth and convinced the gullible judge to give him more time to submit docs.

. . . I'm thinking I will instruct a Barrister to handle the trial

Would I be right in thinking the hearing was in relation to your other thread involving a claim for a personal money dispute not a debt where the Claimant is a creditor or debt purchaser etc?

I am defendant in personal money dispute - which is a new experience for me.

The claimant has started a claim via MCOL - I have now received a Trial Hearing date; the Court paperwork states "Parties serve and file copy documents 14 days before the hearing"

When the claimant started the claim, the POC were not specific and I did mention this when initially replying to the Court. I asked that the case should be particularized or struck out. This was ignored by the Court and a Hearing date has been set.

How detailed should the paperwork which I submit to the Court be?

Legally, what would my position be if the Claimant failed to send me a copy of the paperwork which was sent to the Court?

You will need to source a barrister whose legal expertise matches the job in hand. Barristers are smart but not necessarily omnicompetent in all areas of law (e.g. you wouldn't hire a dentist to take out your appendix )

This in turn means you don't necessarily need to instruct a barrister in your locality, albeit you will have to pay their train fare etc if they're travelling long distance. What they know, not where they live, is important.

I don't know your personal circumstances or your budget but have you considered approaching the Bar Pro Bono unit for a barrister who may not charge you for their services?

Here's the link > https://www.barprobono.org.uk/do-you-need-help.html

Di

[HYG]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Hi Diana,

Yes this is in relation to my other post. Went to a trial but other parties games\tricks meant the judge was sufficiently fooled and it simply led to a hearing.

Waiting for directions before I proceed. Judge may as well have represented the other side.

For any litigant in person: If all else fails, play the innocent fool, the judge will no doubt be a dim wit (well spoken dim wit, mind) and provide plenty of free advice on what to do at the next trial. I am referring to the other side of course -

Taken a look at the link and do not think I can use the service - I would not qualify on financial grounds.

Any site where I can get guidance on the type of fees I can expect for a 5 year plus experienced barrister?

[charitynjw]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Did you try the link on post #2?

[HYG]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Did you try the link on post #2?

Thank you - the link was most helpful.

Apart from the obvious (such as years experience, previous case history) what should one look out for when appointing a Barrister - I just want to avoid the beginners pitfalls.

Thanks.

[charitynjw]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Thank you - the link was most helpful.

Apart from the obvious (such as years experience, previous case history) what should one look out for when appointing a Barrister - I just want to avoid the beginners pitfalls.

Thanks.

Can't really say. as I've never needed the services of a barrister.
Maybe @Amethyst, @Joanna C, @Diana M [MENTION=551]pt2537[/MENTION] could offer an opinion?

[HYG]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Thought I would share my initial experiences with trying to hire a Barrister.. I would liken the experience to buying a car from Arthur Daily!

Found a Barrister on directaccessportal - Thought I would start with a junior (1 Year exp.) to get an idea on price.

Spoke with some East London Barrow boy (clerk at Chambers) with a solid cockney accent and told him I was interested in a specific Barrister and he quoted me £750. When I mentioned that was a little more than I was hoping to spend, he quickly dropped to £500. Yes, a whopping £250 dropped in 30 seconds. Then tried to tell me how the Barrister was 10 years qualified! Reminded him that 9 of those were as a Solicitor Advocate (thanks linkedinn), he said it all counts.

I think he realised I was not all that impressed nor had I come down in the last shower; ended the conversation with, "When ya get the trial date, give me a bell and be straight with me on the deal you have and I shall see if I can beat it".

Goodness me! Now I have never contacted a Chambers before and I was not expecting the Clerks to be speaking the Queens English, but this was like buying a second hand car from a man in a sheepskin coat!

Surely, the Chambers should try to portray a more professional image!

I shall keep on looking...

[charitynjw]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

As with most things in this life, Terry, it is in the eye of the beholder. One man's firewood is another man's porcupine wotsisname.

Arthur Daley (Minder, 1989)

[HYG]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

If this is the level of service I get when they are trying to attract business - I hate to think what will happen when I have parted with my money.

I thought my profession was bad!

[Joanna C]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Bear in mind the old addage " a barrister is only as good as his brief".

In other words you need to provide him with the evidence required to succeed at trial.

[HYG]

Re: Would like to hire a Barrister

Joanna C - thank you for your reply.

I could not agree more - the brief is indeed all important. The point I was trying to convey was one of a complete lack of professionalism by the Clerk. First impressions count!

Would I be correct in assuming that a fee of £250-£300 for a junior is reasonable for a 90 minute trial at the County Court?

Any suggestions\recommendations on a Barrister? Feel free to PM any recommendations.

Thanks.