Daniela Mizzen
Introduction
Divorce can already feel overwhelming; adding legal fees or uncertainty makes it harder. Many people ask: “Can I do a divorce without a solicitor?” The answer is: in many cases, yes, by using a direct access barrister. At Unit Chambers, we support clients who wish to manage costs and retain control, while still benefitting from expert legal assistance. Let’s walk through how that works in practice.
How divorce works in the UK: A quick insight
- You start by filing a Divorce Application
- The other spouse responds
- You exchange financial disclosure
- You negotiate or resolve a financial settlement
- The court issues a Conditional Order and then a Final Order
- If children are involved, child arrangements or maintenance may need to be addressed
Each stage involves legal and procedural tasks and that’s where a barrister can help, even if you don’t use a solicitor.
What a Direct Access barrister can do in your divorce
Under a direct access arrangement, your barrister can:
- Advise you on each stage: What steps to take, what risks to watch out for
- Review or help you complete your financial disclosure (Form E, proposals etc)
- Draft and review documents such as position statements, applications, consent orders
- Represent you in hearings for interim relief, directions, final orders
- Guide negotiation strategies and settlement discussions
But they won’t handle administrative tasks like filing the petition or negotiating with the other side on your behalf unless you do that yourself or instruct further.
The benefits (and risks) of using a Direct Access barrister in divorce
Benefits:
- Lower overall cost compared with full solicitor and barrister route
- More control and transparency; you see exactly what’s happening and work directly with counsel
- Specialist input exactly where needed; at hearings or critical points
Risks and challenges:
- You must take on more responsibility for document management, communication
- Complex finances or huge assets may require full legal representation beyond a single barrister
- Time investment: you’ll need to stay organised, manage deadlines, respond promptly
Sample workflow: Divorce with Direct Access (via Unit Chambers)
- Submit your Direct Access Application, including basic case info
- Suitability call – the barrister evaluates whether direct access is viable
- Agreement and fees – agree scope, fees, terms
- Share your documents – existing orders, financial disclosure, proposals, etc
- Conference / strategy meeting before hearings
- Prepare for hearing / represent at court
- Post-hearing summary and next steps
(You can compare this with our full 10-step Direct Access process in our guide.)
What kind of divorce cases might be less suitable?
- Very complex valuations (e.g. multiple companies, trusts, offshore assets)
- Multiple expert reports (e.g. forensic accountants, valuations)
- High conflict divorces requiring intense client liaison
- Where ongoing correspondence, negotiation and administrative burden is high
If your case has elements like these, your barrister might recommend involving a solicitor or a hybrid approach.
Is it safe to proceed without a solicitor?
Yes; with the right support. At Unit Chambers, we do careful suitability assessments to ensure Direct Access is appropriate. We only proceed where we are confident we can give you robust representation within the agreed scope.
Final thoughts and next steps
If you’re considering divorce but want to avoid paying for a solicitor as well, Direct Access is a practical alternative. Start by applying via our Direct Access Application Form. We’ll respond quickly and help guide you.