Criminal Law Barristers Flock to Stobart Panel Ahead of Christmas Rush

Criminal Law Barristers Flock to Stobart Panel Ahead of Christmas Rush PR Newswire MANCHESTER, England, December 13, 2012 MANCHESTER, England, December 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Stobart Barristers has revealed almost a third of UK barristers want to offer their services direct to members of the public over the busy Christmas period. That means people charged with criminal offences over the festive season will, for the first time, have direct access to a panel of experienced, expert criminal law barristers. Stobart Group Legal Director Trevor Howarth says more than 4000 barristers have applied to work for Stobart Barristers' ground-breaking direct access scheme - a number equivalent to nearly a third of the UK's 12,500 self- employed barristers. That has enabled the transport giant's legal arm to form a unique panel of 1200 barristers and QCs, all of whom are keen to deal direct with clients at an agreed-up-front price, removing the need for a solicitor and giving clients more affordable access to expert legal advice. Mr Howarth, who launched Stobart Barristers to much fanfare back in May, said the demand from barristers for places on the Stobart panel was indicative of the changing legal landscape. He explained, "We've had barristers from right across the country physically coming into the office to speak to us about joining our panel - and that says it all.