New Park Court has an extensive team of barristers qualified and experienced to accept instructions directly from members of the public and businesses under the Bar Council Public Access scheme.

The scheme allows members of the public and businesses, in appropriate cases, to consult a barrister without first instructing a solicitor, avoiding duplication of work and costs. The scheme applies to all of Chambers’ practice areas – Crime, Civil and Family. Barristers can advise in writing or in conference, draft legal documents and appear in court on their client’s behalf, without the involvement of a solicitor. The Bar Standards Board’s Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients provides further information on the scheme and is available here.

If you would like to instruct a barrister directly, please contact one of the clerks in the appropriate practice area. They will discuss the case with you, suggest which barrister in Chambers would be suitable to handle your case, advise you about fees, timescales and ask you to submit some papers for Counsel to consider. Once Counsel has agreed to take your case, our experienced clerks will liaise with you and suggest a fee structure that is agreeable to you.

Our fees are subject to VAT, are agreed by negotiation at the point of instruction and before any work is undertaken on the case. Fees are based on how many hours a barrister will take to prepare your case and how long they will attend at court on your behalf . We always require payment in advance in direct access cases. In accordance with the Money Laundering regulations, we will ask you to provide proof of identity before any work is done.

Our most commonly adopted fee structures are:

i) A brief fee and refresher fees. A brief fee includes preparation and the first day in court. Refresher fees refer to subsequent days in court.

ii) an agreed hourly rate. Hourly rates may vary according to the seniority and experience of counsel, the complexity and urgency of the case.

or

iii) a fixed fee.

These fee structures are applicable for barrister’s fees for attending trials/hearings, conferences and for drafting paperwork

All of the above fee options are based upon all or a number of the following factors:

  • The seriousness and complexity of the case;
  • The value and importance of the case and the seniority of counsel;
  • The work involved in the case and the level of preparation time required;
  • The degree to which specialist knowledge is required;
  • The length of the case;
  • Travelling and other expenses incurred.

Timescales for work undertaken may vary depending upon factors such as barristers’ availability, the complexity of the case and the need for additional documents. However, standard instructions will normally be completed in 14 days but more complex cases requiring lengthier preparation will normally be completed within 28 days. The clerk will contact you to agree timescales in non-standard cases.

We always require payment in advance in direct access cases. In accordance with the Money Laundering regulations, we will ask you to provide proof of identity before any work is done.

For full details of our terms of business, please click here

Examples of Fees Charged

All information is correct as of 1st January 2020. Fees are estimates only and subject to reviewing your case papers.

For a quotation, please contact the clerks on clerks@newparkcourt.co.uk

Financial Disputes in Divorce cases

Our barristers can advise you if you and your former partner cannot agree on financial matters during, or after, a divorce. For example, you may not be able to agree on how assets should be divided, whether to sell your home or other assets, maintenance payments, or pension sharing.

If you cannot agree, you can apply to a court for a financial order. You may need to attend a number of court hearings – our barristers can represent you in these hearings.

Timescales

Timescales for your case may vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the value and complexity of your assets, whether you have children, how much you have already agreed with your former partner, and their approach. Written advice on your financial dispute will be available within two to four weeks where possible. As a guide, court hearings for a financial order tend to take six to twelve months. This does not include possible appeals.

Fees

We may charge fixed fees, which means that we will charge you a set amount of money for the work. Below we provide estimates based on the ranges of fixed fees for barristers in New Park Court where the parties have joint assets, which are worth less than £300,000. All fees exclude VAT (where applicable).

If we charge fixed fees, these may be towards the higher end of the range if you need a more experienced barrister. If you have a particularly complex case, your fees may also be higher than the estimates below. There are also likely to be additional costs for other matters not listed below. These are charged at an hourly rate of £200 – £250 plus VAT.

Stage of case ranges of fixed fees (estimates)

  • Written advice on your financial dispute: £500 – £2000
  • Preparation of case, including meetings with you and assistance with drafting of any court documents Hourly rate: £200 – £250 per hour
  • First appointment (first court hearing exchanging financial information): £1000 – £1500
  • Financial dispute resolution appointment (second court hearing to reach a financial settlement): £1500 – £3000
  • First day of final hearing (if no settlement was reached in the financial dispute resolution appointment): £2000 – £4000
  • Court appearances per day, after the first day of the final hearing: £1000 – £2000

Contact Us

All information is correct as of 1st January 2020, but fees are estimates only. For a quotation, please contact the clerks clerks@newparkcourt.co.uk Please also contact the clerks if you and your former partner have joint assets which are worth more than £300,000.

Inheritance Act Advice

The Inheritance Act 1975 protects spouses (including former spouses), cohabitants, children and other dependants when a person dies without leaving sufficient money for the dependent’s continued wellbeing. Our barristers can provide you with written advice on whether you can make a claim under the Act. Our barristers can also provide you with written advice when a person dies and you are a beneficiary of the estate, but someone else makes a claim under the Act.

Timescales

Timescales for your written advice may vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the value and complexity of the deceased person’s estate, your financial needs and those of any beneficiary of the estate. However, claims under the Act must be made within six months of the grant of probate, so as a guide your written advice will be available within two to four weeks where possible.

There are also likely to be additional costs for other matters not listed below. These are charged at an hourly rate of £200-£250 plus VAT.

Written advice Range of fixed fees
Written advice or conference on making or defending a claim £1000 – £3000
One day final hearing £1500 – £3000

Alistair MacDonald KC
Call: 1983 Silk: 2000

Alistair Macdonald KC prosecutes and defends in the most serious crime cases, including murder and serious drugs offences. His particular strength...

Simon Jackson KC
Call: 1982 Silk: 2003

Simon Jackson KC is regularly instructed in serious criminal (principally homicide), regulatory (including corporate manslaughter), professional...

Jason Pitter KC
Call: 1994 Silk: 2014

Jason Pitter KC was called to the Bar in 1994 and commenced pupillage in Chambers in 1995 and became a member in 1996 practicing initially in general...

Ian Brook
Call: 1983

As an Ag. Puisne Judge in Trinidad, Ian Brook tried 11 capital murder cases. Of 34 years call, he now defends and prosecutes general crime,...

Nicholas Mason
Call: 1984

Nicholas Mason is an experienced barrister, with extensive experience in a wide variety of complex, serious and multi-disciplinary claims.

Ashley Tucker
Call: 1990

Ashley Tucker is a civil practitioner with a particular preference for Wills, Probate and Property but still retains an interest in Commercial Law,...

Vincent Ward
Call: 1998

Vincent Ward has a well-established criminal practice. He accepts instructions in all types of cases, including complex cases and those of the utmost...

Jeremy Barton
Call: 2004

Jeremy Barton specialises in criminal work, predominantly defending. He is frequently instructed on both a private and publicly funded basis in the...

Adam Birkby
Call: 2006

Adam Birkby is a highly respected specialist in criminal, regulatory and disciplinary law. Whether being led by the pre-eminent silks on circuit,...

Jessica Slaughter
Call: 2009

Jessica Slaughter is a specialist criminal barrister. She prosecutes as a level 4 CPS panel advocate and defends in complex criminal cases. Having...

Steven White
Call: 1998

Steven White has a commercial and chancery practice, with additional niche areas of expertise in civil fraud and employment disputes especially in...

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