In order to maintain the highest level of service, Chambers adheres to the following principles:
Terms of work
Unless otherwise agreed, all members of Chambers offer their services under the Terms of Work statement issued by the Bar Council at www.barcouncil.org.uk.
Fees Policy
On all privately funded work it is our policy to charge fair and reasonable remuneration for the work and effort properly and necessarily undertaken. When assessing the level of the fee to be submitted by the clerks due consideration is given to the resources available to the client, the importance of the matter and the amount of money or assets at stake.
We are always willing to give fixed quotes as follows:
- On a competitive or "Best Value" tendering basis or by way of sealed bids for larger cases or significant volumes of work
- On the basis of quoted hourly rates with or without a capped maximum fee
- An agreed fixed fee however this can only be based on the provision of accurate prior information. This can encompass one or more items, e.g. conferences, preparation, site visits, expenses, briefs and refreshers
- For very urgent work which will demand an unusual degree of priority, unsociable working hours or intensive preparation, special rates will be quoted.
Fees policy and CAB rank
We accept work where the fees are calculated in accordance with the graduated fee system that applies to publicly funded work. The Bar Council has deemed these fees not to represent fair remuneration and, for this reason, the cab rank principle does not apply to the acceptance of such work. We reserve the right to decline such work or even individual items of that work if, in any particular case, the work required would not be fairly remunerated by that system. Should we wish to decline any such work we will do so in a timely manner.
It is a convention that once a Barrister's brief has been delivered, the brief fee is payable whether or not the matter proceeds to a hearing.
In accordance with our policy of fairness in charging for work, and in an endeavour to provide a better service by encouraging the early delivery of briefs, Chambers does not operate this convention.
Instead, where a brief has been delivered and the matter is then settled or does not proceed to a final hearing, only a proportion of the brief fee will be charged, taking into account the following factors:
- The amount of preparation already undertaken by Counsel
- The time differential between the date upon which notice is given that the hearing will not proceed and the date fixed for the Hearing
- The length of the case and thus the extent to which Counsel has been unavailable for other offers of work.
Conditional Fees
We accept instructions in appropriate Conditional Fee cases. To discuss Conditional Fee cases please contact Gregory Townsend, Senior Clerk at greg@12cp.co.uk.
Licensed Access
Licensed Access (LA) is the means by which a professional who is a member of a designated professional organisation agreed by the Bar Council may obtain the services of a barrister without the need to instruct a solicitor. For further information about LA please contact Gregory Townsend, Senior Clerk.
Direct Access
Direct Access is the means by which individuals can instruct certain qualified members of the Bar. For further information about DA please contact Gregory Townsend, Senior Clerk.
Case Monitoring and Control
Following the receipt of instructions and the agreement of a fee, a letter, where appropriate, will be sent confirming the receipt of instructions and the fees agreed.
All members of Chambers are conscious that best practice dictates that all instructions should be returned within a reasonable period of time. If the return of instructions is required by a specific date, there are procedures in place that, giving due regard to the urgency of the matter, ensure that this is achieved.
Returns Policy
It is our policy to ensure that Counsel originally instructed retains the conduct and control of the case throughout. However, in the unlikely event that circumstances necessitate a change of counsel, we will inform you at the earliest opportunity.
We operate systems to monitor the progress of each case and where appropriate, will endeavour to assist you in liaising with the Listing Officer in order to obtain suitable hearing dates. We hope this will ensure that returns are kept to a minimum.
In the rare event of a return becoming necessary and in the absence of appropriate counsel within Chambers, the clerks will endeavour to find a suitable alternative, acceptable to the solicitor.
Complaints Policy
It is our objective to provide the best possible service to our clients. However, in the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with any aspect of the service we provide, we invite you to write to the Senior Clerk, who will investigate the matter fully and report his findings back to you.
All complaints will be monitored by the Head of Chambers, who will, should circumstances necessitate, personally investigate the matter and report his findings to you.
To receive a copy of Chambers Complaints Procedure please speak to the complaints officer Mr Gregory Townsend.
Continuing Professional Development
These Chambers are accredited as trainers by the Law Society. Members of Chambers are available for this purpose in a wide variety of disciplines.