TERMS OF BUSINESS & BASIS OF FEES | COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Terms of Business
• All time spent is recorded on the computer system to ensure that the fees charged can be substantiated by specific work activities by the barrister. If requested, the Clerks will be able to explain further how the eventual fee was arrived at.

• A fee note will be rendered after completion of each piece of paperwork or court appearance.

• We will render a fee note for our work upon conclusion of the case or on request, should there be a pause in proceedings or at an appropriate stage in on-going litigation.

• On privately funded cases, we expect our fees to be settled within one month of your receiving our fee note. You are asked to contact us should this not be acceptable to you.

• We adhere to the Bar Council’s Code of Practice in respect of issue of payment reminders, progressing payment of our fees and credit control in general.

• Any solicitor whose name appears of the ‘Withdrawal of Credit Scheme’ List will be expected to pay any outstanding fees within 7 days. Further instructions will not be accepted unless the barrister concerned instructs otherwise.

Court Hearing
The basis for fees to be charged will be agreed in advance of the hearing. Fees for court work take into account the following factors:

• estimated time required for preparation

• estimated time to be spent in Court

• case complexity

• the amount / issues at stake

• seniority of the barrister

• whether an abnormal workload was placed on the barrister through late instruction / urgency of the work etc.

• the degree to which specialist knowledge is required

• travelling / expenses likely to be incurred

Paperwork
Normally fees for paperwork are not agreed in advance however if an estimate is required, the clerks (in liaison with the barrister concerned if necessary) will provide an approximate fee. The following factors are taking into account when providing such estimates and when the compiling the fee-note:

• total time taken to complete the work

• complexity of the matter

• the amount / issues at stake

• seniority of the barrister

• the urgency of the work and the need to reschedule other matters

• the degree to which specialist knowledge is required

• travelling/expenses likely to be incurred

Complaints Procedure

1. Every complaint received will be dealt with expeditiously, courteously and in accordance with Chambers complaints procedure.

2. Every complaint received will be acknowledged within 3 working days.

3. Every complaint shall be recorded in terms of date of receipt and name and address of person making complaint.

4. A complainant will be requested to reduce a complaint to writing if not already in such form.

5. The written complaint will be acknowledged by the senior clerk, or in his absence the junior clerk appropriate to the area of complaint, forthwith.

6. A copy of the written complaint will be submitted to the relevant barrister/member of staff immediately upon receipt with a direction that they are to respond to the complaint within 14 days. A copy of the complaint will be held in a file, which will be treated as confidential within the confines of the procedure below.

7. Failure to respond to a complaint within the permitted timescale will be referred to the Head of Chambers, or in her absence, the Deputy Head of Chambers, forthwith. Refusal to respond will be regarded as a disciplinary matter with appropriate reference made to the Professional Standards Committee of the Bar Council.

8. In the event that the complainant is not satisfied with the response made to his/her complaint and notifying the same in writing, the file will be referred to the Head of Chambers, or in his/her absence, the Deputy Head of Chambers.

9. The Head of Chambers, or in her absence, the Deputy Head of Chambers will write to the complainant acknowledging receipt of the complaint file forthwith. Within 14 days of receipt of the file the Head of Chambers, or in his/her absence the Deputy Head of Chambers will investigate the complaint, consider the appropriate action to take and notify the complainant of her conclusions.

10. In the event that the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the internal complaints procedure, he/she will be invited to address his/her complaint to the Professional Standards Committee of the Bar Council.