Come see us, says barristers' group

Barristers this afternoon said they were encouraging accountants, tax consultants and other professionals to come directly to them, and not through solicitors, when they were simply seeking advice.

In a report issued today the Bar Council called for greater use of their direct access scheme. This is part of a number of reforms suggested in response to criticism from the Competition Authority.

Chairman of the Bar, Senior Council Hugh Mohan, said he didn’t expect the move would cause any conflict between barristers and solicitors.

"In so far as the simple matter of obtaining an opinion it should be possible for accountants, tax experts and the like to go direct," he said.