What Astons Law Chambers does
- Police station representation, at any hour.
- Bail applications and contested bail hearings.
- Plea advice, disclosure review, and trial preparation.
- Trial advocacy and sentencing mitigation.
Process
- A short call to understand the allegation, the stage you are at, and any next date in the diary.
- A written client-care letter setting out scope, fee, and what happens next — before any work begins.
- Preparation: conferences with the client, disclosure review, and case strategy.
- Representation at every hearing through to verdict and, where needed, beyond.
Instructing directly
A solicitor is not required for this work.
Astons Law Chambers is authorised under the Bar Standards Board's Public Access scheme to accept instructions directly from members of the public. The practice is also authorised to conduct litigation, so the case can be run end-to-end without a separate solicitor. Suitability is assessed during the first call; where a solicitor is needed, Astons Law Chambers will say so and refer where useful.
For matters that qualify for public funding, see how legal aid works at Astons Law Chambers — eligible cases are referred to a partner solicitor firm at no cost.
How Direct Access works →Common questions
- Can I instruct a barrister directly?
- Yes. Astons Law Chambers is authorised under the Bar Standards Board Public Access scheme to take instructions directly from members of the public. A solicitor is not required.
- What if I am at a police station now?
- Call 07922 247 999. Attendance is arranged from the same call. Ask the custody sergeant not to begin the interview until representation is in place.
- Is legal aid available?
- Astons Law Chambers is not a legal aid contract holder. Where legal aid applies to a case, it is arranged through a partner solicitor firm.
- Will I have a criminal record?
- A conviction creates a record on the Police National Computer. A caution does too. Out-of-court disposals — community resolution, fixed penalty, conditional caution — appear on enhanced DBS checks for the periods set by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Whether a matter results in a conviction, caution, out-of-court disposal, or no further action depends on the offence and how the police and CPS exercise their discretion at each stage.
- Will I have to go to court?
- Some matters are dealt with out of court — community resolution, fixed penalty notice, conditional caution — without any court appearance. Where the matter is charged, the first hearing is in the Magistrates’ Court. Summary offences stay there. Indictable-only offences go to the Crown Court. Either-way offences are allocated to one or the other depending on seriousness.
Custody — 24/7
Speak to the barrister before the interview begins.
Police station support is available at any hour. Calls from custody are answered direct.
Call nowBefore you call
A short, useful first call covers three things:
- The allegation and any charge.
- Any next hearing date.
- What you have been told so far.
If you don't have all three, call anyway — the first call is free.
Related work