MyBarrister

MyBarrister: direct access to UK barristers

MyBarrister is a UK platform operating under the Direct Access scheme, a mechanism that allows you to instruct a specialist barrister directly without needing to go through a solicitor first. The website presents itself as a way to resolve legal matters quickly and with cost control, connecting clients with the right professional according to the subject area.

The platform states it has 161 specialist barristers and 57 areas of law, and notes that the professionals are regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB).

Areas of law covered

The directory organises barristers into six main thematic groups, each with multiple sub-specialisms:

• Family & personal life: family law (children and finances), wills and trusts, probate, Court of Protection, personal injury, clinical negligence, education law, personal disputes, immigration and family relationships.
• Property & housing: property and housing, landlord and tenant, houses in multiple occupation, planning, commercial property, construction, agriculture and farms, and environmental law.
• Money, debt & disputes: contracts, civil disputes, debt recovery, small claims, insolvency, defamation and privacy, professional negligence, insurance, legal costs and mediation.
• Work & employment: employment (employee and employer), discrimination, health and safety, and pensions.
• Business & commercial: company and commercial law, shareholder disputes, financial services, tax, intellectual property, copyright and media, privacy and GDPR, business immigration, sports, licensing, arbitration, international arbitration and adjudication.
• Crime, public & regulatory: criminal defence, business crime and fraud, private prosecution, administrative and public law, regulation, professional discipline, inquests, military law, motoring and healthcare.

How the service works

The process is set out in three steps. First, the user can search by area of law or send an enquiry describing their matter. Second, MyBarrister puts the client in touch with barristers specialising in the relevant subject. Third, the client agrees the fee directly with the barrister in advance and the professional begins work.

The platform stresses that the initial enquiry is free of charge and creates no obligation. The user can attach up to three files (PDF, Word or images) with a total limit of 4 MB, and it is noted that these documents may be shared with the barristers to whom the case is referred.

Featured barrister profiles

The website shows a selection of professionals with information about their chambers, year of call and practice areas. Featured profiles include:

• Abbas Lakha KC (9BR Chambers, called in 1984): his practice covers business crime and fraud, criminal defence, private prosecution, regulation and artificial intelligence. The website mentions his success in the appeal against HMRC's decision to cancel the registration of Brac Saajan Exchange Limited.
• Adal Ibrar (3 Bolt Court Chambers / 8118 Law, called in 2018): before turning to law he worked for several years in the financial services sector. His practice focuses on criminal defence, family (children and finances) and family relationships.
• Alexander Bunzl (4-5 Gray's Inn Square, called in 2017): commercial, property and trusts barrister, with regular appearances in the County Court, the Senior Courts and the First Tier Tribunal. He covers areas such as company and commercial, civil disputes, commercial property, insolvency, landlord and tenant, and wills and trusts.
• Amy Sloan-Thomas (Temple Court Chambers, called in 2009): her commercial chancery practice includes advising on, drafting and reviewing contracts, company law, debt recovery, education law, employment and shareholder disputes.
• Andrew Locke (Nexus Chambers, called in 2008): mixed practice in landlord and tenant, commercial, regulatory, licensing and criminal defence, with experience in houses in multiple occupation, healthcare, motoring and professional discipline.
• Andrew Marsden (Commercial Chambers, called in 1994): specialist in shareholder, director, partnership and commercial agent disputes. The website indicates he is ranked in Band 1 of Chambers UK and the Legal 500.

Contact and scope

The platform handles enquiries by phone and email, and offers a contact form to describe the matter and request that a suitable barrister be assigned. The service is aimed at both individuals and businesses in the UK.