Why go direct?

Cost

Traditionally, members of the public could only get access to a Barrister through a Solicitor. This has recently changed so that you can avoid added cost and possible duplication of having to go through a Solicitor first to get to a Barrister. Barristers' overheads are less than Solicitors and therefore Barristers' fees have traditionally been on lower hourly rates than comparably experienced Solicitors.

Specialist Advice

You may end up having to go to a Barrister eventually if the Solicitor feels he is not able to fully advise you or represent you at trial. Barristers are specialists at oral advocacy and trials. Predicting for example, what a court will decide about your employment dispute requires experience of having been in court.