ADLip for Barristers
We are a team of experienced family law paralegals that will instruct and works closely with barristers under the Direct Public Access Scheme to support Litigant in Person clients through the stressful process of family breakdown.
In the absence of an instructing solicitor, many LIPs face significant difficulties in completing court forms, case preparation, managing correspondence and paperwork.
Very few understand what their case needs might be, or are even aware of the options open to them. In the absence of legal aid, financial constraints (quite often severe) become the overarching consideration in deciding whether they can instruct legal professionals at all.
On the other side, neither DPA barristers nor their Chambers have the time or resources to case manage and oversee the paperwork requirements of their clients. In certain circumstances, work is turned away if the client is unable to demonstrate sufficient litigation competence.
ADLip solves that problem. In addition to our paralegal services, we also assist in providing a helpful intermediary service between you and your DPA client whereby we can instruct you directly on behalf of the client. We can also undertake a large proportion of the casework usually done by a solicitor. For the avoidance of doubt, we cannot conduct litigation on behalf of our clients.
What work does ADLip do?
- Preparing court documentation and applications
- Barrister recommendations
- Maintain case diary
- Assistance in preparing witness statements and exhibits
- Preparing and updating working bundles for the client and counsel
- Prepare index and copy bundles for hearings
- Attend court to take notes
- Undertake searches and obtain transcripts
- Arrange DPA counsel and liaise with clerks
- Complete client DPA paperwork
- Research requirements e.g. experts
Reserved Activities
ADLip is an unregulated legal services provider. The Legal Services Act 2007, identifies reserved activities that as a paralegal service provider and intermediary, we cannot undertake on the client’s behalf
- ADLip cannot file a Notice of Acting nor seek to go on the court record.
- ADLip cannot sign court documents or correspondence.
- ADLip cannot file and serve documents.
- ADLip cannot conduct litigation nor represent ADLip as acting on the client’s behalf.
Benefits for the barrister:
- Hugely reduces admin and case paperwork – Frees up a barrister’s time to undertake more meaningful work
- All communications from the client can be directed through ADLip
- ADLip creates an orderly indexed bundle and, where possible, a case summary provided in advance of meeting the client. This saves time and costs
- All DPA work can be undertaken, regardless of client competence
Benefits for the client:
- Cost savings for the client
- ADLip provides introductory guidance to the legal system, its processes and requirements