How To Instruct Us

The English legal profession consists of two branches, “barristers” (the Bar) and “solicitors”.  The Bar is made up of independent specialists who, for practical purposes, operate from small groups known as “chambers”.   Barristers are responsible for the majority of advocacy in the UK.  However, they also advise on non-contentious issues.  Barristers are self-employed which makes them particularly flexible on fee structures and working arrangements for overseas clients.

At XXIV Old Buildings we have a reputation for advising international and offshore clients. Our members regularly advise and appear in a number of jurisdictions including the Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, the Middle East, Far East, the USA and the EU.  We also have a permanent office in Geneva.

Subject to local laws, all barristers at XXIV Old Buildings are in principle able to accept direct instructions from any qualified lawyer, whether English or from any other jurisdiction, including in-house counsel, for advisory work or in any arbitration anywhere in the world without the need for an English solicitor or any local lawyer.

Foreign clients who are not qualified lawyers can also instruct members of XXIV Old Buildings for advice and early analysis of their case in both UK and international disputes.

In those cases where there is litigation proceeding in England and Wales, most barristers at XXIV Old Buildings are only able to accept instructions to act or advise from an English solicitor, but, if you do not have one, please contact a member of the practice management team who will be able to discuss the possibilities and, where appropriate, recommend one suitable for the case.

If you would like to discuss this or any other aspect of instructing a member of XXIV Old Buildings further, please contact one of the practice management team.