Does this mean that I don’t need a solicitor?
Maybe! There are some types of cases that the Bar can conduct on our own for example in disciplinary cases where a response is required to specific allegations by a professional body and a hearing may take place in due course.
Although the rules are changing to allow Barristers to appear in criminal cases without a solicitor, in most cases we would advise that a solicitor be instructed to deal with the police, interview witnesses etc, so there is no danger that your advocate will have to withdraw during the case if an issue arises over what happened during the investigation.
Solicitors often play a crucial role in the preparation of a case, especially one that is ‘document heavy’ and requires general advice and expertise that is wider than that of a barrister.
