Child arrangements
Where children live, time spent with each parent, schools, holidays and relocation, including specific issue and prohibited steps orders.
Learn more about Child arrangements
Direct Access Family Barrister · Manchester
Clear, independent advice on family matters, directly from a barrister.
Instruct Richard Stevens yourself, without first going through a solicitor. Called to the Bar in 2008, Richard advises and represents clients in family courts across Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond, at fixed fees agreed in advance.
- Called to the Bar in 2008
- Regulated by the Bar Standards Board
- Based in Manchester, covering the North West
- Fixed fees, agreed in advance
Welcome
The barrister who advises you is the barrister who represents you
Richard Stevens is a family barrister based in Manchester, with 18 years’ call. He is registered with the Bar Standards Board to accept instructions directly from members of the public.
He advises and represents parents, spouses and partners in disputes about children, finances on divorce and separation, and protective injunctions. You deal with Richard directly from your first conference through to any hearing, and you know the cost of each step before it begins.
Areas of practice
Family law advice and representation
Whether you are at the start of a separation or preparing for a hearing, you can get focused advice from the barrister who would represent you in court.
Financial remedies
Dividing property, pensions, savings and income on divorce or dissolution, from early advice through to FDR and final hearing.
Learn more about Financial remediesProtective injunctions
Urgent non-molestation and occupation orders, whether you need protection or are responding to an application.
Learn more about Protective injunctionsCohabitation disputes
Property and financial claims between unmarried partners, and claims for children’s financial provision under Schedule 1.
Learn more about Cohabitation disputesNuptial agreements
Advice on pre- and post-nuptial agreements and separation agreements, so arrangements are clear and properly considered.
Learn more about Nuptial agreementsWritten advice & drafting
Opinions on the merits of your case, position statements, statements and correspondence, each at a fixed fee.
Learn more about Written advice & drafting
Fees
Clear, fixed fees
Every piece of work is priced before it begins. Written work starts from £150. The full fee schedule sets out what each fee includes, travel costs and a worked example.
Initial conference
£500–£1,000
up to 1 hour, preparation included
- Reading your papers before we meet
- In person in Manchester, or by video or phone
- Clear advice on your options and next steps
- Exact fee confirmed in writing first
Court hearings
from £750
short hearing, Greater Manchester
- Half day from £1,000, full day from £1,500
- Call before the hearing and conference at court
- Courts further afield quoted separately
Follow-up conference
£250
per hour
- Strategy, updates and hearing preparation
- Charged pro rata in 15-minute units
- In person, by video or by phone
Why instruct Richard
Experience, clarity and straightforward pricing
Experience
Called to the Bar in 2008, with a practice focused on family proceedings in Manchester and across the North West.
Clear advice
Plain-English advice about where you stand, what the court is likely to do and the most proportionate way forward, even when that is not what you hoped to hear.
No surprises on cost
Published fees, confirmed in writing before any work starts. No hourly meter running in the background.
Meeting
Meet in person or online
Conferences can take place face to face in Manchester or remotely, whichever suits you. Remote conferences mean you can instruct Richard wherever you are in England and Wales.
Areas and courts covered
The process
How instructing Richard works
Before any work begins, Richard checks that your case is suitable for direct access, so you know exactly what you are paying for and what he will do.
How direct access worksBook or enquire
Book an initial conference online, or send a short enquiry.
Suitability & conflict check
Richard confirms there is no conflict of interest and that your matter is suitable for direct access.
Client care letter
You receive a letter setting out the work, the fee and the terms. Nothing proceeds until you are happy.
Your conference
Richard reads your papers in advance and gives you clear advice on your options and next steps.
Speak to a barrister directly
Book a one-hour initial conference for clear, independent advice on where you stand and what to do next.