ENQUIRIES & INSTRUCTIONS
Contact John Hurlock
Email him directly about your matter, or speak to the clerks at 2 Bedford Row about availability, fees and arranging instructions. Enquiries are welcome from the UK and abroad.
YOUR FIRST ENQUIRY
What to include.
A short outline helps him and the clerks understand what you need. Please provide:
- 01
Full name and date of birth
Include the full name and date of birth of the person needing advice or representation, along with your contact details. If you are enquiring for someone else, explain your relationship to them.
- 02
The matter and its stage
Briefly describe the issue, the work you need, who else is involved and whether a solicitor is already instructed.
- 03
Any dates or deadlines
Mention an approaching hearing, interview or deadline at the beginning of your enquiry.
- 04
Prison details, if applicable
If the person needing representation is in prison, include their prison number and current prison.
ARRANGING INSTRUCTIONS
From enquiry to instructions.
He and the clerks will explain the right route for your matter.
01
Make an enquiry.
Email him directly or contact the clerks at 2 Bedford Row. Include a brief outline and the details listed above.
02
Check suitability.
The clerks check availability, and he assesses the work needed. If you do not have a solicitor, he will consider whether Direct Access is suitable.
03
Agree the work and fee.
The scope, responsibilities, fees and terms are confirmed in writing before work begins.
For solicitors and legal teams
Contact the clerks at 2 Bedford Row to discuss representation at a hearing or trial, or advice on a case. Include a brief outline, the work required and relevant dates so they can check availability and provide a quotation.
For individuals and businesses
He accepts instructions directly from individuals and businesses through Public Access, often called Direct Access. His clerks can discuss this route with you. He will assess whether it suits the facts and complexity of your case, the work you need and your ability to manage any tasks that remain your responsibility.
He is a registered litigator and provides litigation services as well as legal advice and advocacy. The conduct of litigation can be included in the agreed instructions. Before work begins, he will confirm the scope, who will manage correspondence and procedural steps, and which responsibilities remain with you or any solicitor involved.
Suitability is kept under review. If a solicitor becomes necessary as the case develops, the clerks can help you find a suitable firm and discuss arrangements for him to continue as your barrister.
Litigation and Direct Access servicesDirect Access at 2 Bedford RowPublic Access Guidance for Lay Clients (PDF)
Advice on a specific issue
You can enquire about advice or a second opinion without committing to representation throughout a case. He will agree the scope and fee for the advice you need. If you later require further advice or a court appearance, that work can be agreed separately, subject to availability.
For information about legal aid and privately funded instructions, see funding options.
Police interviews, arrest & pre-charge advice
He handles voluntary interviews, attendance following arrest and pre-charge advice. He can advise before an interview, attend at the police station and advise during an investigation before a charging decision.
Evening and weekend attendance is offered. Call the clerks to explain the situation and when attendance is needed. They will confirm availability and the arrangements for your matter.
Provide the person’s full name and date of birth, the police station or custody location, the allegation if known, and any interview time, bail conditions or deadline. If you are enquiring for someone else, explain your relationship to them.
Preparing your papers
Start with a short enquiry. He or the clerks will explain which documents are needed and how to send them. A useful starting point is:
- A brief summary of the case, its current stage and the advice or representation you need.
- The charges or claims, the people or organisations involved, and details of any solicitor already instructed.
- A chronology of the main events and any hearing dates, court directions or other deadlines.
- The relevant court papers, correspondence and evidence, including material you want him to consider.
Keep a copy of the papers you send. Forward new documents you receive as the case progresses, and follow the arrangements agreed with him for correspondence and filing. Tell him promptly if you are unable to manage correspondence or a procedural task so that appropriate support can be discussed.
Clients based abroad
He works with individuals and businesses in the UK and overseas, including clients based in Dubai, the United States and Spain.
When you enquire, include your location and time zone, where the matter arises and any deadlines. His clerks can discuss arrangements for a remote meeting. He will assess the relevant jurisdiction and the work required, including whether advice from a locally qualified lawyer is needed.
Other advisory and copywriting enquiries
For contracts, NDAs, prenuptial agreements, trademarks or patents, briefly describe the matter and the support you need. For copywriting, explain the intended audience, purpose, format and deadline. The scope and fee will be agreed before work begins.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before you enquire.
Can I contact him without a solicitor?
Yes. Individuals and businesses can email him directly or speak to his clerks at 2 Bedford Row (2BR). He accepts Public Access instructions, often called Direct Access, where the case is suitable. He will assess the work required and explain whether you also need a solicitor.
Can he conduct litigation?
Yes. He is a registered litigator. He can undertake the conduct of litigation as part of agreed instructions, alongside advice and advocacy. The client care letter will set out the work covered and who is responsible for correspondence, documents and procedural steps.
Will I need a solicitor as well?
Not necessarily. He is a registered litigator and can provide litigation services as well as advice and advocacy where agreed. Whether you also need a solicitor depends on the matter, funding and scope of the instructions. He will explain who will handle each part of the case before work begins.
What should I include in my first enquiry?
Include the full name and date of birth of the person needing advice or representation, your contact details, a short outline of the matter and any hearing date or deadline. Mention the other parties and any solicitor already instructed. If applicable, include the person’s prison number and current prison. If you are enquiring on someone else’s behalf, explain your relationship to them.
Does he attend voluntary police interviews?
Yes. He handles voluntary interviews, including advice and attendance. Contact his clerks with the police station, the proposed interview date, the allegation and any papers or correspondence you have received. They will confirm availability and arrangements.
Can he attend following an arrest?
Yes. He offers attendance following arrest. Call his clerks with the person’s full name and date of birth, the police station or custody location, the alleged offence if known and whether an interview is imminent. If you are calling for someone else, explain your relationship to them. Attendance is subject to confirmed availability.
Is evening or weekend attendance available?
Yes. He offers evening and weekend attendance, including for police interviews and attendance following arrest. Call his clerks to explain the situation and when attendance is needed. Availability and arrangements must be confirmed for the particular matter.
Can I enquire for someone who is in prison?
Yes. Give the person’s full name, date of birth, prison number and current prison, together with a short case outline and any hearing dates. Include your own contact details and explain your relationship to them. The clerks will explain the next steps and what is needed to arrange instructions.
Can I instruct him if I am based abroad?
He works with clients based overseas, including in Dubai, the United States and Spain. Include your location, time zone, where the matter arises and any deadlines when you enquire. His clerks can discuss remote meeting arrangements. He will assess the relevant jurisdiction and whether any locally qualified legal advice is needed.