The public wants direct access to barristers in crime, family and immigration work and is ‘dissatisfied with paying two lawyers for one job’, a panel of leading barristers claimed this week.

Kevin Leigh, barrister at No5 Chambers in London, said: ‘It’s about giving proper choice to the market and increasing access to justice at a reasonable cost.

‘The public want value for money and lawyers who can give them a service. The bar can provide that.

‘Trying to justify two fees is becoming harder in many cases... The public are dissatisfied with paying two lawyers to do one job.’

Mark Ellison QC, of London’s Hollis Whiteman Chambers, said public access was an opportunity for barristers to take control of their fees and stop ‘being the trolley dollies of solicitors’.

He said: ‘The essence is getting the public to come to us. At the moment they have to go to a solicitor first, and they often prevent clients getting to the bar.’

Since 2004 the public has been able to bypass solicitors and instruct barristers directly in most areas of civil work, but not in most criminal and family work and all immigration work.

Following a consultation last year, the Bar Standards Board approved the extension of the scheme to these areas. The change awaits sign off from the Legal Services Board.