*/
Use of direct access – where clients instruct a barrister directly as opposed to via a solicitor – is soaring as corporate counsel seek to cut costs during the economic downturn.
Hardwicke’s third study into direct access, conducted by research company Jures, reveals a marked rise in direct instruction and increased confidence among in-house counsel about how to go about it. Of 65 in-house counsel and company secretaries taking part, a third had instructed directly in the past two years. This compares with 15 per cent in 2008 and six per cent in 2006.
More than four out of ten respondents specifically identified the economic downturn as a factor in their decision to instruct the Bar directly.
Ann Buxton, chief executive of Hardwicke, said: “Direct access is still in its infancy but, since we commissioned our last research in 2008, there has been a significant step-change in the approach of corporate counsel to the Bar.
“Corporate Britain’s relationship with its lawyers has gone through a radical upheaval over the last two years. It wants and expects better value for money and the increasing use of ‘direct access’ is part of that.”
The study indicates a growing understanding of direct access, with nine out of ten corporate counsel believing they have sufficient grasp of the issues to be able to instruct barristers directly, compared with only 40 per cent in the 2008 study.
The overwhelming majority (80 per cent) of clients relied on word of mouth or recommendation to find the right barrister for the job, while 45 per cent used directories and 25 per cent used websites.
Barristers were perceived by 55 per cent of corporate counsel to be offering better value for money than solicitors’ firms. Two-thirds of corporate counsel thought barristers’ “specialist expertise” gave them an advantage over solicitors.
A Bar Council spokesperson said: “The importance of direct access continues to increase as lay and professional clients seek to engage the Bar’s high quality, high value services.
“This research shows we are on the right track and raises awareness of the importance and relevance of the Bar to its clients.”
Hardwicke’s third study into direct access, conducted by research company Jures, reveals a marked rise in direct instruction and increased confidence among in-house counsel about how to go about it. Of 65 in-house counsel and company secretaries taking part, a third had instructed directly in the past two years. This compares with 15 per cent in 2008 and six per cent in 2006.
More than four out of ten respondents specifically identified the economic downturn as a factor in their decision to instruct the Bar directly.
Ann Buxton, chief executive of Hardwicke, said: “Direct access is still in its infancy but, since we commissioned our last research in 2008, there has been a significant step-change in the approach of corporate counsel to the Bar.
“Corporate Britain’s relationship with its lawyers has gone through a radical upheaval over the last two years. It wants and expects better value for money and the increasing use of ‘direct access’ is part of that.”
The study indicates a growing understanding of direct access, with nine out of ten corporate counsel believing they have sufficient grasp of the issues to be able to instruct barristers directly, compared with only 40 per cent in the 2008 study.
The overwhelming majority (80 per cent) of clients relied on word of mouth or recommendation to find the right barrister for the job, while 45 per cent used directories and 25 per cent used websites.
Barristers were perceived by 55 per cent of corporate counsel to be offering better value for money than solicitors’ firms. Two-thirds of corporate counsel thought barristers’ “specialist expertise” gave them an advantage over solicitors.
A Bar Council spokesperson said: “The importance of direct access continues to increase as lay and professional clients seek to engage the Bar’s high quality, high value services.
“This research shows we are on the right track and raises awareness of the importance and relevance of the Bar to its clients.”
Use of direct access – where clients instruct a barrister directly as opposed to via a solicitor – is soaring as corporate counsel seek to cut costs during the economic downturn.
The Chair of the Bar sets out how the new government can restore the justice system
In the first of a new series, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth considers the fundamental need for financial protection
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Possibly, but many barristers are glad he did…
Mental health charity Mind BWW has received a £500 donation from drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory, AlphaBiolabs as part of its Giving Back campaign
The Institute of Neurotechnology & Law is thrilled to announce its inaugural essay competition
How to navigate open source evidence in an era of deepfakes. By Professor Yvonne McDermott Rees and Professor Alexa Koenig
Brie Stevens-Hoare KC and Lyndsey de Mestre KC take a look at the difficulties women encounter during the menopause, and offer some practical tips for individuals and chambers to make things easier
Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice since January 2021, is well known for his passion for access to justice and all things digital. Perhaps less widely known is the driven personality and wanderlust that lies behind this, as Anthony Inglese CB discovers
The Chair of the Bar sets out how the new government can restore the justice system
No-one should have to live in sub-standard accommodation, says Antony Hodari Solicitors. We are tackling the problem of bad housing with a two-pronged approach and act on behalf of tenants in both the civil and criminal courts