Working with counsel

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis
Produced in partnership with Ursula Rice of Family First Solicitors Ltd
Practice notes

Working with counsel

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Produced in partnership with Ursula Rice of Family First Solicitors Ltd

Practice notes
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Instructing counsel to Advocate on a Client’s behalf should be a matter of careful thought and preparation. The role of counsel is to provide independent objective advice and to deploy the skill of advocacy on behalf of the client. Although they are part of a team, they also serve as a boost to the initially instructed solicitor’s advice. This Practice Note sets out how counsel can be instructed so that the client receives the maximum benefit.

Choosing counsel and reasons to instruct

A list of approved counsel should be maintained and regularly updated. In family matters, what might be termed a good 'bedside manner' is important. Clients often feel immensely vulnerable and the involvement of a brilliant but brusque professional may not suit the client at all.

Consideration may need to be given to instructing leading counsel and in some cases leading counsel will happily take a case without the expense of junior counsel assisting them.

The earlier in a case counsel is instructed, the more benefit will be obtained from their advice. There are

Ursula Rice
Ursula Rice

Family First Solicitors Ltd

Ursula Rice is a solicitor and solicitor'advocate, practising in the field of family law. She is the owner and manager of Family First Solicitors Limited, a start- up firm specialising in family work. She was an early adopter of unbundled services, successfully marketing this innovative method of retaining and developing business since 2011. She has written and lectured on the business of family law for Resolution, SJ Live, the Law Society Gazette and various other publications and local radio. Ursula lectures for the University of West of England on the Legal Practice Course and takes a particular interest in the mentoring and development of young lawyers. Ursula is the press officer for the Oxfordshire regional branch of Resolution and the founder of the Family Duty Clinic, an Oxford Court based Law Works Pro Bono clinic and winner of the inaugural national Pro Bono Centre award 2013. Ursula contributed to Practice Notes in LexisPSL Family on the business of family law.

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Key definition:
counsel definition
What does counsel mean?

a barrister;

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