How Do You Know How Good A Barrister Is?

[Gardenlady]

Hi, have been advised by solicitor to use a certain barrister. But how do I check them out to see if they have won or lost cases similar to ours? Is that even what I should be checking?
Should I use that one as it's been advised? I just don't know where to start. Any advice welcomed please. Thanks

[EDDIE51]

A good guide is their price per hour. The better the barrister the more they can charge. As a lecturer once told me '' The Law, like the Ritz Hotel, is open to all''
Googling the name of the barrister would be a good place to start.

[EDDIE51]

Put their name in here! The Barristers register.
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/regulatory-requirements/the-barristers'-register/

[ummmm]

It’s nothing to do with price per hour. Cases are won and lost on the evidence, not the brilliance of the barrister!

Just because a good barrister can demand more it doesn’t mean they do.

[Buenchico]

Simply gogling the name of the barrister (possibly adding in the actual word "barrister" if he/she has a fairly common name or the name of his chambers if you know it) might turn up relevant information.

For example, I've met this guy and watched him in court. He's damned good!
https://www.25bedfordrow.com/site/people/profile/michael.neofytou

[DTCwordfan]

also depends what you want him/her for - I know one who is brill for chancery cases, Andrew Francis.

[woofgang]

Can I add also how much do you trust your solicitor? I am not saying to make your decision entirely guided by her/him even if you do trust them a lot, but its something else to factor in.

[Barmaid]

I think this quite a good, albeit difficult, question to answer.

There is no one "review site" for barristers. So you cant get anything along the lines of TripAdvisor for the bar. You could look up their profile on their website, but hey, that's always going to be good - after all it's one of their marketing tools. You could try and google which cases they have won or lost - but that is no guide either. That wont tell you how many cases they have assisted in negotiating a settlement or had struck out at an early stage. And winning or losing cases is no test since if the barrister goes into court with a good case and then a witness does not come up to proof, there is nothing they can do about it.

My advice is to ask your solicitor a) how much of this work they have done b) how much of this work they have done with that particular barrister c) how they have found that particular barrister.

[dannyk13]

I don't think asking your solicitor is god advice as most solicitors generally use a particular chamber of barristers.

[Peter Pedant]

thx BM

it is a bit like working out who is a good surgeon
( in the end you ask the staff working with him)

[sapelesam]

I have used a Barrister once in my life. I took a recommendation from a Senior Police Officer friend, asked my Solicitor to arrange a meeting with the Barrister, I told him the relevant details and asked his opinion on the likely outcome. His clarity and confidence convinced me of his suitability, we won the case.

[Barmaid]

No danny, they dont. If you **** it up or do not give that solicitor good service, they wont use you again.

[woofgang]

In my (very small) experience, a good solicitor may have a collection of links but they will suggest/involve the best specialist for the job.....depending of course on the client's budget. When we were involved with a solicitor over my late mother's will, the bloke we retained was very upfront about costs and billing and when we needed specialist advice from a barrister, he said to us that the bloke he suggested was good (he had literally written "The book" ....well a book albeit a recent and well received one....) but that he wouldn't be cheap.

[Gardenlady]

Thanks all for your advice. Very much appreciated!
Will ask my solicitor those questions when next on phone to him Barmaid, thank you!
I’m sure he would have recommended the best person for the case. I was just curious and like to research who I’m using to respresent us. Maybe for a little more reassurance.
Would be interested in who you had Woofgang? If that’s allowed on this site?
We have been told £750-£1000 plus vat for a consultation with this particular barrister. But apart from a lot of money I don’t know if that’s the norm and def don’t think it shows if they’re good or bad.
Can’t find any cases of his on google. His profile says “he has a particular interest in wills and probate”.
I’m hoping that as long as our evidence is all ok and proved in medical notes then we should be good.
Thanks again for all answers!

[Barmaid]

"has a particular interest in". I wouldnt be happier with less than "eat, sleeps and drinks......."

[jno]

wouldn't "passionate about" do it, Barmaid? Or is that just the legal minimum these days?

[Buenchico]

Gardenlady:
We've got a barrister on AB who specialises in civil law and particularly in the area of work you refer to - and she's already advised you!

Yes, it's Barmaid.

Perhaps she'd be interested in taking on your case?

[woofgang]

Honestly Gardenlady I can't remember the name and all the paperwork is long shredded.

[Gardenlady]

Would you be interested barmaid?