wig
29
Aug

What is a barrister?

What is a barrister?

A barrister is a lawyer who specialises in appearing in court.

Why choose a barrister?

Being a specialised court advocate, a barrister is best equipped to present your case in court effectively.

How are fees charged?

While there may be a perception that a barrister’s fees are very high, this is not necessarily the case. The barrister’s fees depend on a range of factors such as:

  • the level of skill and experience required

  • the complexity of the matter

  • the extent of out-of-court work required

What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?

A barrister must generally confine his work to appearing in court and doing work related to court.

A solicitor is generally permitted to provide legal advice in court and non-court related matters.

Do I need a solicitor when I engage a barrister?

In some non-complex matters, a barrister may be able to appear for you on a ‘direct access’ basis.

However, in lengthy and complex litigation a solicitor is required to instruct your barrister to ensure that your case is effectively and properly presented.

For more information, visit the website of the Victorian Bar to read ‘Why use a barrister?’