How to instruct a Chancery Barrister

If you wish to instruct a barrister you may find it helpful to know that:

  • Barristers are divided into King’s Counsel (KCs or silks) and juniors.  All barristers who are not KCs are known as juniors.  Appointment as a KC is a recognition of expertise and excellence in advocacy.
  • Barristers can be instructed alone or to form part of a team and their role can be tailored to the client’s requirements.
  • Most barristers are individual practitioners who are self-employed. They join together to share premises and expenses.  These groups of barristers are called sets of chambers.  Sets of chambers have their own websites.
  • If an individual barrister has been identified, it is possible to instruct him or her by speaking to his or her clerk.  The clerk looks after the barrister’s commitments and can provide further information as to fees and availability.
  • Even if it is not possible to identify an individual barrister in advance, those seeking to instruct a barrister can contact the clerk at a chosen chambers.  The clerk will be able to recommend an individual member of chambers who is most appropriate to work on the case bearing in mind its value, subject matter and complexity, together with the barrister's availability.
  • In some instances it may be possible to instruct a barrister direct without instructing another professional intermediary.  This is particularly easy if you are based outside England and Wales.  However, there are special rules which apply to overseas work and clients.  For more information in relation to overseas work please click here.
  • Individual barristers and chambers are recommended by publications such as Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500.

Many chancery barristers also act as arbitrators, experts or mediators.  For more information in relation to instructing a barrister to act as an arbitrator, expert or mediator please click here.

This site also contains detailed information about how to instruct a barrister as a professional client, as a licensed access client and as a member of the public. On this page we set out what all of these clients should expect of a Chancery Barrister.

There is also information about how to instruct a barrister on the Bar Council’s website.