Go direct to a barrister, through ‘Public Access’

Did you know that through Public Access, you can go directly to a barrister for help with your legal problems?

St John’s Chambers is the premier barristers’ set in the South West with over 80 barristers including 8 silks. We are ranked Band 1 in all major areas of law and have specialists at all levels of seniority, so whatever your requirements, you can be sure we’ll have the right barrister for you.

Our barristers can give you advice and representation in all main areas of law, including children matters, construction disputes, employment, planning, company law, family money, property disputes, contract, licensing, tax, dispute resolution, partnership, and wills and inheritance.

For frequently asked questions, and to see if your case is likely to be suitable for public access, please see our Public Access FAQ page.

How do I instruct a barrister at St John’s Chambers?

Complete our online public access form.

We will get in touch with you within one working day by telephone or email to discuss your case. We will recommend the right barrister or KC for you, and give you a fixed fee quote.

Transparency

Click here to view our Transparency page.

Licensed Public Access

Our barristers can also accept instructions under the Licensed Access scheme and provide legal advice to licensed organisations or individuals, such as chartered accountants and surveyors, in appropriate cases. The licence permits licensees to instruct barristers either relating to their own affairs or on behalf of their clients.

The system is an efficient and cost-effective way for legal advice and representation. If you are interested in instructing us through this scheme please contact Simon Rhodes, Chief Executive.

To check whether your professional body is already licensed, or for information on becoming licensed under the scheme, please visit the Bar Standards Board website.

Public Access: Direct Access to a Barrister Team

alex-troup

Alex Troup KC

  • Call: 1998
  • Silk: 2023

Alex is ranked as the only ‘star individual’ on the Western Circuit in chancery matters by Chambers UK and is Head of our Wills & Trusts team. He is also the only silk ranked in private wealth outside...

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Lucy Reed KC

  • Call: 2002
  • Silk: 2023

Lucy is a family law specialist and has practised in family law throughout her professional career. Her practice now spans all areas of family law with a particular emphasis on children work. She often acts in complex, multi-party or high...

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Richard Stead

  • Call: 1979

One of Chambers’ most senior barristers, Richard has an extensive practice which encompasses personal injury, clinical negligence, professional negligence claims and property damage matters, including a number of high profile cases. Richard’s practice is also complemented by his...

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Peter Wadsley

  • Call: 1984

Peter specialises in planning, local government and environment law. He heads the Public & Administrative Law Practice Group at St John’s Chambers. He also has extensive experience in public rights of way inquiries and associated topics, as well...

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Roy Light

Roy Light

  • Call: 1992

Roy accepts instructions in all areas of licensing. He is highly commended for his advocacy, legal knowledge, negotiating skills and approachable client-friendly manner. He acts for individuals and small businesses as well as public authorities and international corporations...

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Andrew McLaughlin

Andrew McLaughlin

  • Call: 1993

Andrew McLaughlin is a leading barrister with a national practice in the fields of personal injury, industrial disease and clinical negligence. A member of St John’s Chambers for more than 20 years, he holds the position of Head...

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James Pearce Smith

James Pearce-Smith

  • Call: 2002

James, a former solicitor, is an experienced litigator specialising in commercial and property disputes. His practice includes company and partnership disputes, construction disputes and insolvency, and he is often instructed in complex disputes which span more than one...

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Sarah Philimore

Sarah Phillimore

  • Call: 1994

Sarah was called to the Bar in 1994 and since 1999 has worked as a specialist family lawyer in Chambers in London and Bristol. She specialises in all aspects of children law and Court of Protection work. Sarah...

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Judi Evans

  • Call: 1996

Judi is Head of our Family & Divorce team, and practises across public and private family law, with particular expertise in cases of abduction and the international relocation of children. In complex public law cases she is involved in multiple...

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Mathew O'Reagan

Matthew O'Regan

  • Call: 2015

Matthew, a former Solicitor, is a specialist competition and regulatory lawyer. He was Called to the Bar and joined St John’s Chambers in 2015, having previously been a Partner in the Competition Group of Burges Salmon LLP. He...

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Matthew White

Matthew White

  • Call: 1997

Head of Chambers, Matthew White deals with all aspects of personal injury litigation for both claimants and defendants. He aims for a roughly equal split between claimant and defendant work, taking the view that it makes for a...

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Abigail Bond

Abigail Bond

  • Call: 1999

Abigail specialises in law involving children and is Head of the Children Law team. She has considerable experience of care proceedings in which she represents local authorities, parents and children. She has experience in a wide range of...

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Rachel Russell

Rachel Russell

  • Call: 2001

Rachel is Head of our Personal Injury team, and has over 20 years’ experience in dealing with personal injury cases, acting for both claimants and defendants. She has gained a reputation for her robust advocacy, well-reasoned but no nonsense...

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Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca Taylor

  • Call: 2003

Rebecca is an experienced civil practitioner specialising in construction . She is a member of PIBA, ACIArb, a TECBAR adjudicator and an accredited Civil Mediator. In relation to construction, Rebecca is an in demand junior with experience of...

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Darren Lewis

Darren Lewis

  • Call: 2004

Darren specialises in personal injury and employment matters, and was called to the Bar in 2004. He is a leading junior on civil fraud, fundamental dishonesty, S57 defences as well as committal for contempt of court. He has...

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Jody Atkinson

  • Call: 2005

Jody is nationally known for his expertise in child support and the Child Support Act 1991. Jody has been dealing with the Child Maintenance Service, and its previous incarnations the CSA and CMEC for many years and is...

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James Marwick

James Marwick

  • Call: 2008

James is an experienced personal injury and clinical negligence barrister with sub-specialisms in costs and professional negligence.  He is ranked in The Legal 500 in costs (Tier 1), clinical negligence and personal injury. He acts for both claimants...

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Oliver Wooding

Oliver Wooding

  • Call: 2009

Oliver has a specialist practice that focuses on wills and trusts, and real estate matters, and the overlap between them.  He is regularly instructed as an advocate, advisor, and mediator in a wide range of disputes. Recent cases...

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Charlie Newington Bridges

Charlie Newington-Bridges

  • Call: 2011

Charlie undertakes a wide range of commercial and chancery work in litigation, arbitration and mediation. He has experience of substantial, complex and high-value litigation in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. He also has wide experience...

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Ryan Morgan

  • Call: 2017

Ryan specialises in all areas of family law with a particular interest in care proceedings. He was called to the Bar in 2017 and practised in another Bristol Chambers, before joining St John’s Chambers in 2019. Ryan often...

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Guy Adams

Guy Adams

  • Call: 1989

Guy is a chancery and commercial specialist who acts in complex cases which often raise difficult and/or novel points of law. His commercial work includes banking, finance, commercial contract, company and partnership and professional negligence. He also has...

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