Solicitors in Private Practice

Client Confidentiality

Briefs received into Chambers are only handled by the clerks and the barristers assigned to individual cases, sensitive items are held in a safe to which access can be gained only by the clerks.  Faxes and emails are received by the clerks in the clerks' room and are only made available to Counsel involved in the case.

Booking Counsel

When you contact Chambers to book Counsel, you will be advised if the barrister of your choice has an existing commitment and offered a choice of alternative Counsel. The size of Chambers, (38 members) most of whom specialise in family work with individuals also specialising in other areas, means that we can provide a breadth of expertise in each of our specialist areas.  The issue of continuity is important to all, and Counsel will not be changed after they have been booked, unless this is unavoidable and agreed with the client.

Briefs

It is vital to the smooth and effective handling of a case that we have sufficient time to prepare for court appearances. Many cases now require case summaries, skeleton arguments & threshold documents to be lodged in advance of the hearing so it is therefore essential that instructions are sent giving ample time for preparation.  On our part, we shall ensure that we arrive at court at least half an hour before the hearing is scheduled to start (and earlier by arrangement) to allow time for discussion with clients. All papers will be read and all necessary trial documentation, including skeleton arguments, case summaries and chronologies will be prepared as requested.  At the conclusion of the hearing, clients will be provided with an attendance note recording the terms of any orders made, negotiations conducted or concluded, within 24 hours of the court appearance.

Fees

In support of the fee, all the time spent on a matter is recorded on the Meridian System to ensure that the fees charged can be substantiated by specific work activities of the barrister.

• 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 (as agreed).
• On privately funded cases, we expect our fees to be settled within the limits prescribed by the Bar Council.  Fee runs for local authorities can be adapted to the requirement of the authority.  A time saving feature is the bulk invoicing and central payment to Chambers which some authorities take advantage of.
• 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.
• No member of the Bar without the consent of the Chairman of the Bar can accept instructions in a privately funded case from any solicitors firm listed under the Withdrawal of Credit Scheme.  An exception to this is if the instructions are accompanied by payment of an agreed fee for such work.