Short answer
Before a Direct Access conference, prepare a short chronology, the key papers, the urgent deadlines, the decision you need to make, and the work you want the barrister to consider.
Quick checklist
Start with these
Best order
How to organise the first pack
- Write the decision needed from the conference.
- Put deadline documents first.
- Index the core papers rather than sending an unlabelled bundle.
- List questions in priority order.
- Flag litigation, legal aid or solicitor-support issues.
Define The Question First
A conference is easier to scope when the issue is framed as a decision or task. For example, the question might be whether to apply, respond, settle, appeal, amend a pleading or prepare for a listed hearing.
Avoid using the first meeting to unload every document without priorities. Put the current deadline and the decision needed at the top of the note.
- What decision or hearing is coming next?
- What work is requested: advice, drafting, conference, negotiation or representation?
- What has already been filed or served?
- Who is responsible for court deadlines and document filing?
- What outcome or practical choice needs discussion?
Build A Short Conference Pack
Send a concise chronology and the documents that explain the live issue. If there are many papers, provide an index and mark the documents that the barrister should read first.
Separate privileged advice, settlement communications and sensitive documents so scope and confidentiality can be considered properly.
- One-page chronology with key dates.
- Current order, decision, claim, defence or application.
- Hearing notice, response deadline or limitation warning.
- Core correspondence and any offers.
- Questions for the conference in priority order.
Check Suitability And Scope
Public Access work is not suitable for every case. A barrister may need to consider complexity, urgency, legal aid, litigation conduct and whether a solicitor or other professional should be involved.
This guide is general information only. It does not confirm that any barrister can accept instructions or that a conference is appropriate for a particular case.
Avoid delays
What not to send first
- Assuming a short conference includes all future work.
- Sending a large bundle without an index.
- Leaving court filing, service or deadline responsibility unclear.
- Omitting settlement offers or existing orders.
Source note: source-checked against Bar Standards Board Public Access lay-client guidance and public-access rules on 26 September 2026. Direct Access suitability, litigation-conduct responsibilities, legal aid and agreed scope need barrister or compliance review before publication.
Claim and official-source ledger
- The BSB explains that Public Access lets members of the public instruct a barrister directly, but the client may still need to handle some tasks such as court filing unless the barrister is authorised to conduct litigation.
- Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients — Bar Standards Board; checked .
- The BSB Handbook public access rules require suitability checks before and during public access instructions, including whether a solicitor or other professional client should be instructed.
- The BSB Handbook — Bar Standards Board; checked .
Editorial status: Review required. Sources support the identified claims only. General information; not legal advice.
Direct Access Conference Preparation Barrister Guide FAQs
Is a conference the same as instructing a barrister for the whole case?
No. The agreed work should be clear. A conference may be limited to advice, triage, drafting instructions or deciding whether further work is suitable.
Should every document be sent before the meeting?
Usually no. Start with the order, decision, pleadings, correspondence, chronology and the papers needed for the question being asked. Large bundles can be indexed separately.
Can a Direct Access barrister take over court filing and service?
Only if authorised and agreed. BSB guidance explains that lay clients may still need to handle some tasks themselves, including court filing and deadlines.
Ask For A Barrister Quote
Barristers4U helps clients request a quote from a suitable Direct Access barrister. The information on this page is general information only, not legal advice about your individual circumstances.
If your matter is urgent, include hearing dates, court deadlines, orders and any documents you already have when you submit your enquiry.
