The Public Access Scheme was introduced to enable members of the public to contact barristers directly. Prior to 2004, members of the public had to first consult a solicitor before accessing a Barrister. This often made the costs of obtaining legal services expensive, because clients had to pay both a Solicitor and Barrister. Now, it is possible to save a lot of money by consulting a Barrister directly. 

The Barrister must have undertaken specialist training to become a Public Access Barrister and must be registered by the Bar Council as a Public Access Barrister.