BarDIRECT Grants CIOB A Licence

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has been granted a BarDIRECT licence.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has been granted a BarDIRECT licence, with immediate effect, permitting certain categories of both Corporate Members and Fellows of the Institute to instruct the Bar direct, without first going to a solicitor in specified areas of legal work.

This licence follows on from negotiations with the Chartered Institute of Building and TECBAR, the specialist bar association for barristers in independent practice who practice or who intend to practice regularly in the Technology and Construction Courts.

Corrina King, CIOB Head of Practice, commented "we are excited for our members who will now benefit from a quicker, pro-active and ultimately cheaper legal service.

This is a major step forward for the CIOB and something we have worked towards for some time.

It also reflects that the Bar Council and the CIOB have developed a strong relationship that we wish to enhance and develop further for the mutual benefit of all our members".

BarDIRECT is a scheme set up to allow businesses, organisations and individuals to use the services of the Bar directly and enables those with the appropriate knowledge and experience to instruct barristers in an advisory and advocacy capacity, without first instructing a solicitor.

This saves money, and reduces bureaucracy in legal matters.

So far 139 organisations have been licensed under the scheme and it continues to introduce new organisations on a rolling basis with appropriate businesses, organisations and individuals being encouraged to apply.

Those participating in the scheme have reported that their legal costs have greatly reduced as they start to benefit from a diminution of professional and legal fees combined with increased efficiency of operation.

Marion Simmons QC, Chairman of the Direct Access Committee said 'BarDIRECT is going from strength to strength, and has become an accepted method of accessing the provision of legal services.

Those involved in legal matters relating to building and construction now have a real opportunity to cut their legal costs through this initiative.' This extension of the BarDIRECT scheme will be launched at a meeting on 2 December 2003, taking place at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place at 1815 - 1930, followed by a reception, to which media are invited.

Present at the meeting will be Judge Thornton QC covering the topic of 'Ethics and Construction Law - Where to Start?'.

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