• We give legal advice either in writing or face to face.
• We draft legal instruments including key documents in litigation.
• We provide advocacy services in court or in arbitrations, adjudications, mediation, early neutral evaluation, formal negotiation or any other form of dispute resolution in which you may be involved.

WHEN SHOULD I INSTRUCT A BARRISTER?

• Instruct us as soon as you know you are involved in a legal dispute. Instructing a barrister at the outset ensures your case starts out in the right direction. Just as careful pre- planning can minimise the time and costs of a journey to places never previously visited, so benefiting from John Pugh's experience at the outset of the dispute resolution practice can save you considerable time and cost. 
• Also, consider instructing us at stages in the case where key decisions need to be made and key documents drafted.
• Solicitors will often deny you access to a barrister until you need to be represented in a trial or at a mediation or in negotiations but by then harm has often been done. Early access to a barrister can do more than anything else to avoid the costs of trials, mediations and the like.
• Consider also instructing a barrister for advice prior to entering upon negotiations yourself so you now your legal and evidential strengths and weaknesses.

WHY INSTRUCT A BARRISTER?
Barristers work at the ‘sharp end’ of litigation in court from day to day. This experience enables them to;

• Provide you with an early realistic risk assessment.
• Give you a case plan to work to.
• Make strategic decisions and tactical deployments during the dispute resolution or litigation.
• Conduct your case in court.
• Advise you upon (and take over if your wish) your negotiations.

HOW CAN I MAKE BEST USE OF MY BARRISTER?
Use your barrister in much the same way a solicitor does but:

• Instruct him/her much earlier in the litigation process that a solicitor would, i.e. as soon as you know you are involved in a legal dispute.
• Let your barrister advise you whether, and if so when you will need a solicitor.
• Remember that if you wish you can use a barrister behind the scenes so as not to escalate a dispute unnecessarily with your opponent.
• Barristers can always help you prepare for negotiations and advise on how to draft settlement terms that are enforceable.

WHERE CAN I MEET MY BARRISTER?

• For legal advice, you can request advice face to face in chambers, or by pre-arranged telephone conference ,or at your own offices in which case travel cost and time will be added.
• For negotiations or dispute resolution activity we will meet you wherever it is happening.
• In court or at arbitrations, adjudications or in mediations we will usually meet before the event.
• Most pre-trial hearings in litigation can be conducted by your barrister for you by telephone from his/her chambers.

WHICH BARRISTER SHOULD I USE?

• Find out about a barrister’s areas of practice from the Bar Council website.
• John Pugh’s areas of practice include disputed commercial debt claims, especially contract disputes, employment agency and other contingency fee work.
• He also specialises in disputed consumer credit claims including Unfair Relationships, Unfair Contract Terms,
• Unenforceable Agreements and PPI and Mortgage mis-selling.
• Always inform us of any deadlines you need to meet or court dates you have been given, at the earliest opportunity, to ensure that we can undertake your work in time.

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