How to Instruct Us

We welcome instructions from solicitors, professional clients, and, in appropriate cases, members of the public. At Astons Law Chambers, we pride ourselves on our accessible, responsive, and hands-on approach to client service. Whether you are a solicitor seeking expert criminal defence representation for your client or an individual facing criminal charges who wishes to instruct us directly, we are here to help. This page explains the different ways to instruct us and what you can expect.

Instructing Astons Law Chambers

Our barristers specialise in criminal defence and prosecution, offering expert legal advice and skilled advocacy at every level of the court system. We are committed to providing clear, practical guidance from the moment you contact us. We take the time to understand your specific situation to ensure you feel supported and heard throughout the legal process.

Who Can Instruct Us?

There are several ways to instruct a barrister at Astons Law Chambers.

Solicitors and Professional Clients

This is the traditional and most common route for instructing a barrister, particularly in complex criminal cases. A solicitor or another authorised professional client will instruct us on behalf of their client. In this arrangement, the solicitor manages the case administration, corresponds with the court and other parties, and prepares the papers for the barrister.

Public Access (Direct Access)

The Public Access scheme allows members of the public to instruct a specially trained barrister directly, without first having to go through a solicitor. This can be a more direct and cost-effective way to get expert legal advice and representation.

Not all cases are suitable for Public Access. We will assess your case to determine if it is appropriate for this route. If we believe your case requires the support of a solicitor (for example, to manage extensive evidence or for litigation tasks), we will advise you accordingly.

Licensed Access

Some organisations and professional bodies hold a special licence from the Bar Council, which allows them to instruct barristers directly in their specific area of work. If you represent an organisation with a Licensed Access holder, you can contact us to discuss your requirements.

What Can Our Barristers Do?

Our barristers provide a comprehensive range of criminal law services, including:

• Providing expert legal advice on criminal charges, evidence, and case strategy.
• Representing clients in the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court for all types of hearings.
• Conducting bail applications, including emergency out-of-hours applications.
• Advising on plea negotiations and the potential consequences of a guilty plea.
• Preparing and presenting powerful mitigation for sentencing hearings.
• Advising on the merits of an appeal and representing clients in the Court of Appeal.
• Drafting legal arguments, submissions, and other court documents.

What Barristers Cannot Do

There are certain tasks that a barrister cannot perform, particularly under the Public Access scheme. These are known as litigation tasks and are typically handled by a solicitor. Unless specifically authorised to conduct litigation, a barrister cannot:

• Issue court proceedings or file documents at court on your behalf.
• Pay court fees or other disbursements for you.
• Provide our chambers address as the official address for service of court documents.
• Handle the day-to-day administration and correspondence of your case.
• Investigate your case or gather evidence directly (e.g., by interviewing witnesses).

How to Instruct Us

For Solicitors and Professional Clients

1. Initial Contact: Please call or email us with a brief summary of the case, the area of law, and the required service (e.g., advice, representation at a hearing).
2. Provide Papers: Send us the relevant case papers so we can review the matter.
3. Confirm Availability: We will confirm the availability of a suitable barrister.
4. Agree Fees: We will discuss and agree on the fee structure for the work.
5. Formalise Instructions: Once fees are agreed, instructions are formally accepted.

For Public Access Clients

1. Initial Contact: Contact us by phone or email with an outline of your case.
2. Suitability Assessment: We will conduct an initial assessment to determine if your case is suitable for the Public Access scheme.
3. Provide Documents: If we believe we can help, we will ask you to provide key documents and information.
4. Agree Scope and Fees: We will discuss the work required, agree on a scope of work, and provide a clear quotation.
5. Client Care Letter: Once you agree to proceed, we will send you a client care letter. This formal document sets out the work we will do, the fees, and other important terms.
6. Representation: Your barrister will then prepare your case and represent you as agreed.

What Information Do You Need to Provide?

To help us assess your case quickly and accurately, please provide as much of the following information as possible:

• Your full name and contact details.
• A summary of your case and the court it is in.
• Any key dates, such as your next court hearing.
• Details of the specific charges you face.
• Copies of any relevant paperwork (e.g., charge sheet, summons, witness statements).
• An explanation of what you hope to achieve.
• Any accessibility requirements you may have.

Fees and Costs

We are committed to providing transparent information about costs. A full breakdown of our pricing models can be found on our Pricing & Fees page.

In summary, we will agree on a fee structure with you in advance, which may be an hourly rate or a fixed fee. VAT at the standard rate (currently 20%) is added to all our fees. For fixed fees and brief fees, we typically require payment on account before work begins. We are happy to discuss flexible payment arrangements where appropriate.

Contact Information

Primary Contact: Ghulam Humayun, Barrister
Email: ghulam@astonslaw.com
Phone: 07922247999
Address: Astons Law Chambers, London, WC2E 9RZ

Emergency and Urgent Instructions

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency criminal defence matters. If you or someone you know has been arrested, needs urgent advice for a police interview, or requires an emergency bail application, please call our 24/7 line immediately for assistance.
Emergency Line: 0207 849 3366

What Happens Next?

Once you have instructed us, we will:

1. Send a formal acknowledgement and client care letter.
2. Conduct conflict checks to ensure we can act for you.
3. Allocate a suitable barrister to your case.
4. Begin preparing your case, including reviewing papers and arranging a conference.

Client Care

Our hands-on, client-focused approach is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing clear communication, maintaining strict confidentiality, and keeping you updated on the progress of your case.

Further Information

For more detailed information on our services and policies, please see the following pages:

• Pricing & Fees
• Our Services & Practice Areas
• How to Make a Complaint
• Your Rights with the Legal Ombudsman
• Bar Standards Board Regulation & Register

Questions About Instructing Us?

If you have any questions about how to instruct us or whether we can help with your case, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are here to provide clear and helpful advice.

This information is reviewed at least annually. Last reviewed: November 2025.