Resolving neighbour disputes with help from direct access barristers

Unfortunately, disputes between neighbours occur all too frequently and they can have a significant impact on the people involved. While a disagreement may arise due to a fairly minor issue, it can quickly spiral out of control. As a result, people often find that neighbour disputes have a detrimental effect on their lives as a whole.

With many people keen to extend their properties, this is often a contentious issue for neighbours. Even when planning permission has been granted, disputes can arise if the actual work deviates from the plans in any way.

If neighbours assume that they have a right of way over your land, for example, you may need to take action against them. Similarly, if neighbours continue to use your property or land when you’ve asked them not to, civil dispute barristers may need to act on your behalf in order to resolve the issue.

Although many people aim to keep relations with their neighbours amicable, this is unlikely to happen if the dispute continues for months or even years. By taking action with direct access barristers, you can ensure that the issue is settled as quickly as possible.

How can civil dispute barristers help?

Civil disputes can arise in various forms and direct access barristers may be able to help. By working with an experienced lawyer, you can ensure that they have expertise in the relevant area of law and that they’re able to help manage your case.

As well as informing you of your rights and options, public access barristers can take the matter all the way to court, if needed. While there are often alternative resolutions available, you can rely on your direct access barrister to provide you with legal representation if the matter with your neighbour is referred to court.

What about the cost?

When people have a civil dispute, they sometimes seek help from a solicitor. In many cases, however, the issue is then referred to a barrister as well and this can increase the cost. One of the main advantages of using direct access barristers is the reduced cost of accessing legal representation.

By working with one legal professional, you can reduce your expenditure whilst still accessing the assistance you need. To find out more, why not contact a civil dispute barrister today?

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Property damage and how we can help you

Damage to property can be quite stressful for any landlord, tenant or lettings agent to deal with. It can cost you valuable time and money to get your property back in good condition. Landlords in particular are at risk because damage to your property can lower its value and reduce how marketable your property will be in the open market.

Common causes of property damage

Poor building works

Not all building works go to plan. Sometimes a builder you have asked to carry out some work on your property may carry out the work in a negligent manner, causing damage to the rest of your building. They may also use products like pipes that leak and cause water damage. Often you may need to hire another builder or tradesman to repair the damage, which leads to more costs.

Subsidence

Most homeowners and tenants do not realise their property is subsiding until they start to see visible cracks on the walls. Properties in areas with a lot of vegetation and clay soils are prone to subsidence as untamed tree roots encroach underneath the foundations causing the walls to crack.

Flood and fire damage

Floods and fires are a key risk for property owners. Flooding in the UK, especially during periods of high rainfall, has meant that a number of properties have been damaged by floods while the risk of a fire erupting is one that is present all year round.

Vandalism and impact damage

Tenants or any other person can vandalise your property. Properties can also suffer impact damage which can happen, for example, when a vehicle drives into the property (this happens surprisingly often).

How barristers can help

Barristers can help you by:

• Considering your case and advising you on the best legal and commercial options to rectify your property

• Identifying who is at fault for the damage to your property

• Recovering the cost of repairs

• Advising on the legal options available to you to protect your property against any losses in the event of any unavoidable future damage

Contact our team of expert property barristers today to discuss your options.

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When do you need family barristers?

Unfortunately, personal relationships can sometimes end acrimoniously and it may be necessary to seek legal support in order to resolve the issue. When a marriage or civil partnership breaks down, for example, specialist divorce barristers may be needed. As well as helping to dissolve the union, divorce barristers can help to ensure that matrimonial or joint property is split fairly.

Whilst any type of divorce can be complicated and upsetting, the issue may be more complex if there are children involved. In such cases, the parties may wish to use family barristers so that issues of custody can be resolved. In addition to this, parties may wish to access legal advice so that they are able to access an appropriate amount of child maintenance from their ex-partner.

Getting legal help during a divorce

Although the law aims to ensure that parties can end a marriage or civil partnership fairly, this can be a difficult process. Whilst the law can seem complicated, people are also dealing with a traumatic period in their lives and may feel somewhat vulnerable.

Due to this, it’s vital that people have access to the appropriate legal help. Whilst it may be tempting to concede your legal rights in order to resolve the matter more quickly, you could regret this in the long-term.

By working with direct access barristers, you can ensure that your divorce or family matter is dealt with appropriately and resolved permanently. Although many people worry about the cost of seeking legal advice, using public access barristers can help to ensure that you’re able to access the help you need on a cost-effective basis.

Low cost legal representation from family barristers

Traditionally, people normally consult a solicitor before instructing a barrister to represent them as well. Whilst this can work, it can also be unnecessarily costly. Rather than using two legal professionals, you can access the help you need from public access barristers directly. This enables you to get professional legal help without paying more than you need to.

With barristers able to provide a quote prior to carrying out any work, it’s easy to find out just how much legal advice, assistance and representation is likely to cost. To learn more, why not contact a direct access barrister today?

Avoid a speeding conviction with expert legal help

As all drivers know, adhering to the relevant speed limit is vital when you’re in control of a vehicle. Failure to do so can put the driver at risk, as well as jeopardising the safety of his or her passengers and other road users. While it’s crucial that drivers adhere to the rules of the road, there are times when people may inadvertently exceed the speed limit and, if caught, they could face a number of sanctions.

If the situation constitutes a minor offence, the driver may simply have points placed on their licence or be required to attend an educational course. Once a driver has a specific number of points on their licence, however, they will lose their licence and be unable to legally drive. If the original speeding offence was more serious, a driver could be charged with a criminal offence and they may lose their licence straight away. They could even face a custodial sentence.

Can a barrister save my driving licence?

If you need help from a speeding barrister, it’s likely that you’ve been caught or charged with a motoring offence. With numerous speed cameras situated on roads across the country, it’s not surprising that so many people are caught exceeding the limit each year.

In many cases, however, a public access barrister can help you to contest the charges aimed at you and prevent you from facing any sanctions, such as the loss of your licence or a monetary fine. If you’ve been faced with a more serious criminal allegation, such as driving without due care and attention, a criminal barrister may even be able to help you avoid getting a criminal record.

With legal help from experienced barristers, you can save a significant amount of money. With thousands of pounds to be saved, using direct access barristers ensures that you have access to cost-effective legal help. Furthermore, contacting a barrister directly means that you can discuss your case in detail and get the specialist help you need.

To obtain a quote or to discuss your need for legal representation, contact a direct access barrister today.

Dealing with a false allegation

If you’ve been accused of a crime, it’s vital that you seek legal help as quickly as possible. Whilst thorough police investigations can help to weed out false allegations, this isn’t always the case. In many instances, victims of false allegations can find themselves in court. Depending on the specific allegation, you could even be facing a custodial sentence as a result of false testimony.

Although criminal barristers are adept at dealing with these type of cases, it can be extremely stressful for the accused. As a false allegation can have an impact on your working life and your personal circumstances, it’s essential that the matter is dealt with quickly and confidentially.

Whether the alleged victim has made a genuine mistake in accusing you of a crime or if someone has intentionally misled the police, criminal barristers can help ensure the truth comes to light.

Getting help from direct access barristers

Unfortunately, people can find it difficult to access the legal help they need due to the costs involved. Often, people in need of legal assistance will approach a solicitor for advice. Following this, their solicitor will then instruct a barrister on their behalf. Whilst this can be effective, it does mean that the cost of obtaining legal representation is increased.

Rather than using a solicitor and a barrister, why not contact direct access barristers straightaway? You’ll have access to expert help, reputable legal representation and you’ll be able to reduce the costs associated with legal action as well.

Your current location needn’t be a barrier to using public access barristers either. Whilst you may want to meet your criminal barristers on a face-to-face basis, you’ll also have the opportunity to liaise with them via secure video conferencing facilities.

If you’ve been accused of conduct you didn’t commit or if you’re facing criminal charges, why not seek help today? By discussing your situation with experienced criminal barristers, you can access the help and advice you need.

With the cost of legal representation reduced, public access barristers ensure that everyone has access to the assistance they’re entitled to. To find out more, contact Barristers4U today.

Drink driving: know where you stand

When found guilty of a drink driving offence, individuals can expect to be banned from driving for at least a year, receive an unlimited fine or face up to six months in prison. When faced with these consequences, it is not uncommon to feel fearful, distraught or overwhelmed and lose sight of the reality of the situation. However, things may not be as disastrous or clear-cut as they first seem.

Required procedures

In any drink driving case, there are procedures that police must follow for a conviction to be valid. Expert drink drive barristers or speeding barristers will have experience in defending similar claims and will know which details to question, to ensure that the arrested party is not forced to accept an unreasonable punishment.

One example of a procedure that is vital to understand is the breath test. Devices used to conduct the test have been known to produce unreliable results in situations where no more than a single spirit and mixer have been consumed. A drink drive barrister can obtain calculations to determine the precise amount of alcohol in the body at the time of the test, as well as taking a careful look at the process surrounding the arrest and investigation.

Expert insight

Another example would be that there could occasionally be an unusual reason for an individual’s behaviour. Generally speaking, the court will not entertain drink driving of any kind; however, a drink driving barrister will know when a special reason can be argued. It might even be possible to demonstrate to the court why a more favourable stance should be taken.

The consequences of failing to obtain expert help demonstrate the importance of doing so: the increased cost of car insurance; the need to declare the conviction to an employer or when travelling overseas; the loss of employment where this is dependant on the ability to drive; and, of course, the penalty itself. A drink drive barrister will examine any possibility of a reduced sentence and can review an employment to determine whether there is any duty to inform an employer.

Deciding not to seek assistance may seem like an easier option, especially during stressful circumstances, but, by using a trained legal professional, individuals stand the best chance of clarifying where they stand and not having to suffer any undue consequences.

At Barristers4U, we are particularly experienced at helping you save your driving license, but we don’t stop there – we have over a thousand accredited barristers who can provide you with expert advice on all aspects of the law. To get a free quote and find out how we can help you, contact us today.

Who is cheaper – a barrister or a solicitor?

Whether you’re looking to clear up a construction issue, a family dispute or looking for someone to handle your divorce, a lot of the time the primary consideration is cost. The legal system can be notoriously expensive, especially if your case involves a lot of work and a lot of hours. That’s why it makes sense to seek out the most cost-effective solution to your problem, but which solution is cheaper, a solicitor firm or direct access barristers?

What’s the difference?

The first thing to remember is that barristers and solicitors are both lawyers, but they are different types of lawyer thanks to their training and expertise. In England and Wales, the legal system is ‘split’, meaning there is a division of labour between solicitors and lawyers.

One key difference is that solicitors are not self-employed whereas barristers are. That means a barrister is not permitted to form a company or a partnership. Instead they are sole traders, and thanks to changes in the regulations over the past decade, public access barristers with all sorts of legal expertise are available to hire by the public directly. Using a barrister means clients will have access to a specialist in a particular area of law. Whilst it’s true that solicitors sometimes do specialise in a certain area, primarily they are litigators. This involves conducting meetings with the client, working out a case, carrying out communications with the solicitors on the other side as well as sorting out any paperwork.

Barristers spend more time in court than solicitors and are the ones who deal with witnesses as well as give evidence to the judge. Whereas it’s still commonplace for a solicitor to come to court in order to support a barrister, either by having files to support a barrister’s case or by taking notes, more and more barristers are attending court without the aid of a solicitor. This is because it’s more cost-effective for the client.

Why are barristers more cost-effective?

A barrister is usually the most cost-effective way of going through the legal system because they are paid by their work. A solicitor meanwhile will charge by the hour. When you pay a barrister, you are only paying for what you need, such as their expertise and time. With a solicitor, however, you’re paying additional costs which contribute towards the running of a solicitor’s office.

It’s highly likely that the most cost-effective solution to your legal problem is direct access barristers. In order to receive quotes from highly qualified barristers who will specialise in the area of law you need help in, enter your details at Barristers4u. Remember, getting a quote is completely free and you only pay once the barrister has been directly instructed by you.

How direct public access helps you

Historically, the public could only access barristers through a solicitor. It was the solicitor who would have to instruct a barrister to represent their client, meaning the public were unable to gain potentially crucial advice from a legal expert. Recognising this problem, regulators decided to make a series of sweeping changes in 2009 and promptly changed the regulations in order to allow direct access barristers. Ever since, members of the public have been able to go to a barrister directly, which has a range of advantages, not least a potential saving of hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

Barristers operate as specialist advisers as well as advocates. The direct public access scheme makes public access barristers a possibility, meaning members of the public are fully entitled to deal directly with their barrister, cutting out the need to spend money on instructing a solicitor at the same time.

How direct public access helps

Direct public access allows you to take responsibility, should you wish, for all of the preliminary work yourself. That work may traditionally have been undertaken by a solicitor, so there are huge potential savings on offer should you wish to contact a barrister directly.

It also allows you to control the costs yourself. As standard, you will get a breakdown of the costs for every element of your case. This will be in the form of a contract between the barrister and yourself, meaning there is no possibility of you being charged for more than what has previously been agreed.

With a direct access barrister, you will be getting a specialist in your type of case. Whether it’s social media defamation, sexual harassment, a construction dispute, family law or another matter entirely, direct access allows you to go straight to an expert. That means you’ll get impartial and honest advice over how best to take your case forward. Due to the fact barristers will have undergone years of study in their specialist field, they will be able to quickly identify all the salient features of your problem and give you the specialist advice you need.

To instruct a direct access barrister to handle your case, obtain a free, no obligation quote from Barristers4u today.

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What to do if you suspect medical negligence

If you feel that you’ve not received the optimum standard of care from a healthcare provider, you may have a case for medical negligence. An experienced legal firm of healthcare barristers will be able to advise you on whether you have good grounds for a claim.

Do you have grounds for a medical negligence claim?

A medical negligence action is likely to be successful if you can prove that a healthcare professional breached their duty of care to you resulting in damage or injury to your person. Common types of malpractice suits involve:

• cosmetic surgery mistakes
• surgical errors
• wrong or delayed diagnosis of serious conditions
• dental malpractice
• injury sustained during childbirth

Although many people pursue medical negligence claims in the hope of being awarded financial compensation, you could simply settle for an admission that the care you received was substandard and an apology.

In order to discern if a clinical case exists, you will need to establish the following criteria:

1. That there is a duty of care between you and your treating clinician. (This is never contested as there will always be a duty of care between healthcare professional and patient).

2. That the standard of care you received was insufficient and the duty of care has therefore been breached.

3. That as a direct consequence of the poor treatment you received, you have suffered pain, discomfort, or complications, which would not have occurred had the treatment been up to the expected standard. This is termed, ‘avoidable harm’.

What should you do if you think you have a medical negligence claim?

Medical negligence law is an extremely complex personal injury field. It’s therefore recommended that you seek advice from an experienced healthcare barrister. You’ll need to provide documentary evidence to support your claim. This evidence will include:

• written accounts of what happened, provided by you, your family, and any other witnesses involved

• access to your medical records

• details of prescriptions and receipts for any corrective medical treatment you have undergone in order to rectify the negligent treatment

• details of any loss of earnings or costs you have incurred as a result of the alleged negligence

Seek advice today

If you suspect that you have been the victim of medical negligence by a healthcare professional, you may be able to make a claim against them. Contact a healthcare barrister near you through Barristers4U for a free, no-obligation quote today.

How a barrister could help with your will dispute

Seeking out family barristers directly could prove to be highly beneficial if you find yourself involved in a will dispute. Not only is a barrister uniquely positioned to be able to provide you with advice on legal matters, but they can also help when it comes to strategy.

Expertise

It may be the case that you’re already working with a solicitor on your will dispute, but a barrister could be able to add an additional layer of expertise, especially when it comes to negotiation strategy, or if you have a court hearing coming up. Many barristers are specialists in contentious probate, and deal with similar types of issues every day, in a huge range of situations. That means a barrister is best positioned to objectively look at a will dispute and can spot any potential weaknesses in an argument.

Objectivity

Whilst a solicitor may be involved in the conduct of your case day to day with tasks such as writing letters, procedural dealings, gathering any evidence and preparing documents, a barrister will be able to take a step away from the case. Due to the fact barristers are usually self-employed and independent, they will be able to provide both objective and wholly practical advice which could prove to be crucial. They will advise on the strength of your case, whether you’re bringing a case or defending, and can also map out a strategy to follow in order to secure the best possible outcome.

Case assessment

After all the evidence has been gathered and some initial negotiations are underway, a barrister can once again prove to be indispensable. Their objectivity can be used to make a realistic assessment of any claim and whether or not it would be successful if the case were to proceed to court. It’s worth remembering that barristers are more than just experts in the area of law they specialise in, they are also highly trained when it comes to court procedure. They can assess all the practical matters which could either strengthen or weaken either a claim or a defence in a will dispute.

If you think your will dispute could benefit from the unique perspective of a barrister, then we have over a thousand highly skilled and fully accredited direct access barristers just waiting to help. Enter your contact details and a brief outline of your case to receive a completely free, no-obligation quote today.