Barristers at Court

The Barrister will receive a "Brief" as it is called which as a detailed assessment of your case, what the hearing is about and will include all the relevant documentation in the case.

If the case requires it your Solicitor will arrange a conference with you and the barrister before the hearing to discuss the case, the evidence and for the Barrister to give any additional remarks or advice that they have thought of since getting the brief.

Usually this will take place an hour or so before the hearing but with large cases a few days before at your Barristers chambers or at the Solicitors offices.

when you get to Court you will probably find that if your Solicitor has instructed a barrister your opponent's solicitors will have done so to.

They will try to see if there is a way to settle the case or issue for the hearing by negotiation.

As with most family cases there has to be a level of compromise and no position is fixed in stone, so do not be surprised if the advice you have been given is modified once the other side have set out heir position.

However if agreement cannot be reached you will be called into the Court for the case to be heard.

The Barristers will sit in the front row and your solicitor will sit behind with you.

As the case proceeds you may remember something or have a question you think needs asking.

Just pass a note to your solicitor who will pass it to the barrister to look at.

Only the Barrister can address the Judge, not your Solicitor or you unless you are giving evidence.

Do not shout out, tut, or make noises if you hear something you disgree with as it will only annoy the judge.

Once the case has been dealt with your barrister will talk you through what happened and what happens next and will advise your solicitor on any further matters that need to be dealt with including appeals.

See Also

Getting Help - Barristers

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Information on this page is current and last updated: 4/2/2012