How to instruct a barrister

The instruction of members is arranged through the clerks in Chambers’ practice management team. They are happy to answer any questions in relation to potential instructions or any of the members. Professional, licensed access or lay clients can contact the clerks to obtain a quotation for legal services and discuss suitability and availability.

If you have a legal matter and wish to instruct a barrister, please contact the clerking team on +44 (0)20 7404 0102 or clerks@atkinchambers.com.

If you have an ADR matter, including the appointment of arbitrators, adjudicators or mediators, please contact the ADR clerk Daniel Jones on +44 (0)20 7400 8507 or djones@atkinchambers.com.

Who can instruct a barrister

Barristers at Atkin Chambers act for a wide range of clients, including multi-national firms and companies, government bodies and other institutions. Much of the work has an international element such as overseas clients international projects.

Members accept instructions from:

  • Solicitors, other authorised litigators, employed barristers and legal advice centres in England & Wales.
  • European lawyers registered with The Law Society and qualified lawyers from other jurisdictions.
  • Licensed professionals in the UK under the Licensed Access scheme.
  • Members of the public, individuals from other jurisdictions and companies under the Public Access scheme.

Licenced access

Under the licensed access scheme, members of Atkin Chambers can accept instructions from professional individuals and organisations licensed by The Bar Council.

For further information on the scheme, and a list of licensees, please view The Bar Council website.

Public access

Some members of Atkin Chambers are able, in appropriate cases, to receive instructions under the public access scheme which enable members of the public to instruct a barrister directly. The clerks are trained in managing public access matters and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

For further information please click here to view the BSB Public Access Guidance for Clients.

Work in other jurisdictions

Atkin Chambers has a “worldwide footprint in construction law” (Legal 500). Members are involved in projects located across the globe and accept instructions from a wide variety of jurisdictions. They receive instructions from overseas lawyers on behalf of their clients as well as receiving instructions directly from those clients. The international practice rules allow foreign lawyers and clients to instruct barristers directly either:

  1. where the work relates to matters or proceedings essentially arising or taking place or contemplated outside of England and Wales, and is to be substantially performed outside England and Wales, or;
  2. where the lay client carries on business or usually resides outside England and Wales provided that (i) the instructions emanate from outside England and Wales and (ii) the work does not involve providing advocacy services in England and Wales.

For further details please view the Bar Council’s website for information for international clients which also includes a guide to “Barristers in the International Legal Market”.  Click here for further information.  

Equality and diversity

Atkin Chambers is committed to making reasonable adjustments in order to reduce disadvantage for disabled people receiving legal services. Please click here to see Atkin Chambers’ Reasonable Adjustments Policy for further information. If you would like to request reasonable adjustments, please ask to speak to a member of the practice management team who will be happy to assist.