Please click here to see The (New) Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to authorised persons 2012.
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Client Care Policy
• Nine Bedford Row is committed to flexibility, fairness and openness and, in appropriate cases, happy to either estimate or agree fees prior to work being undertaken. • .Where the brief is for advice/opinion a written reply will be given within 15 working days unless agreed otherwise. If an extension to this time is required, the client will be advised by telephone by the Barrister or his Clerk and a new reporting date agreed. • The Client will be advised promptly of the outcome of court appearances and of the next stage in the case. • A conflict of interest check will be carried out by the Clerks Room upon receipt of a brief and alternative arrangements made, including the transfer to another Chambers if required. • If a brief needs to be reallocated due to factors beyond Chambers' control, then the professional client will be advised by telephone at the earliest opportunity and the brief reallocated to a barrister of equal standing and experience, but not without the prior agreement of the professional client. • Standard matter fee invoices will are issued promptly after the end of a case or an agreed stage of the case, usually be within 5 working days. • Papers are returned to the professional client after the completion of the case - usually within 10 working days.
Basis of Fees
In advance of undertaking any work, a cost estimate will be povided - unless fixed fees are already in place. If it is not possible to estimate the final figure that will be charged for a specific item of work, an indication will be given as to the basis on which the fee will be calculated (for instance, an hourly rate or an agreed figure which will not be exceeded without further discussion with the client).
Where Counsel is instructed under a publicly funded certificate we will require a copy of the certificate or in the case of unassigned criminal magistrates work, the Unique File Number as Counsel are now obliged to ensure that his/her work is covered by the terms of a certificate.
In cases where a brief fee and/or refreshers are estimated, not agreed, the fee will include a rough estimate of preparation time, conferences, days in court, the involvement of other counsel and so on. For other work such as written advices, opinions, views of a locus etc an hourly charging rate can be agreed where it is not possible to provide a fixed time estimate in advance of the work being undertaken.
Chambers Complaints Procedure
Our aim is to provide you with a good quality service at all times. However, in the event that you do have a complaint please let us know at the earliest opportunity so that we may take immediate steps to deal with any difficulties that you may be experiencing. Chambers has a full and comprehensive complaints procedure which follows the guidelines set out in Barmark. A copy of Chambers complaints procedure can be obtained on request from the Senior Clerk either by telephone or in writing, at any time.
Client feedback
Nine Bedford Row Chambers has as one of its objectives the aim "To provide an excellent legal service to its clients in the area of criminal law". To this end, these Chambers and its barristers accept and discharge their responsibility to ensure that the needs, concerns and interests of our clients are constantly kept in view, and addressed. Please click here to download our client feedback form.
