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Newcastle barristers invest own money in website venture

A pair of Newcastle barristers have invested their own money in a business which aims to circumvent the need to employ a solicitor.

Northeastbarristers.com is the idea of Vincent Ward and Susan Hirst who practice with New Park Court Chambers, which has centres in Newcastle and Leeds.

The pair have spotted a gap in the market which follows cuts to Legal Aid and new rules eliminating the need to make initial contact through a solicitor.

Vincent and Susan hope businesses and inviduals will use the platform to access barristers directly, are trailing the idea with the view to roll out across other regions if it is successful.

Mr Ward said: “Whether you are a business, small or large, or an ordinary member of the public with any kind of legal problem you can now instruct a barrister to advise and represent you.

“Through norteastbarristers.com anyone can find a barrister easily and instruct him or her directly. And that barrister can be instructed to deal with either the whole case or only certain parts of it. Barristers offer high quality legal advice and representation at an affordable price in any court or tribunal.

“One of the main advantages is that clients can manage much of the work involved in their case – thus saving costs – and can instruct a barrister as and when the need arises.”

Ms Hirst added: “We’ve seen other businesses and people offering legal services online but it’s not always easy to see where the lawyer you are contacting is from.

“Northeastbarristers.com does exactly what the name suggests – it puts you in touch with a barrister who’s based in your part of the country.

“That means when you need to meet him or her you won’t have to travel far - in some cases they may be able to come to you. This helps reduce the cost and in certain types of case local knowledge can be a real advantage.”

Currently there are barristers available through northeastbarristers.com who specialise in civil law criminal law, road traffic offences, environmental law, mental health law, regulatory law, coroner’s inquests and many more areas.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .