|
Terms of Business & Basis of Fees | Policy for Fees Calculation | Continuous Improvement | The Future | THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AS A DOWNLOAD (PDF) TERMS OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF FEES We strive to provide a very high quality service at competitive rates. The Senior Clerk is available to discuss fee levels and basis of fees with our clients and our policy for fee calculation is set out below for your information. All new instructions and briefs will be acknowledged to confirm receipt and to advise of Counsel instructed and of the case reference should you have a query. Negotiations regarding fees are noted separately on our computerised case history records. Confirmation of fees will be provided in writing if requested. All time spent is recorded on Chambers' 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 calculated. It is our policy to render a fee note on completion of any work incurred. On privately funded cases (cases not publicly funded), we expect our fees to be settled within 30 days of the date of our fee note. You are asked to contact the Senior Clerk should this not be acceptable to you. We adhere to the Bar Council's Code of Practice in respect of our fees collection procedures, progressing payment of our fees and credit control in general. Any solicitor whose name appears on the "Withdrawal of Credit Scheme" list will be expected to pay outstanding fees within seven days. Further instructions will not be accepted unless payment is received in advance of the work being conducted. Court hearings 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 at court • case complexity • the value / issues at stake • seniority of the barrister • whether an abnormal workload was placed on the barrister through late instructions / 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, although this will always be subject to receipt of the papers. The following factors are taken into account when providing such estimates and when compiling the fee note: • preparation time taken to complete the work • complexity of the matter • the value / 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 The Management System that we operate incorporates continuous improvement mechanisms that allow us to monitor our effectiveness against our standards, procedures and policies and to instigate improvement initiatives where relevant. An important source of information for improvement comes from client feedback and we would ask you to inform us immediately should you experience any difficulty with our Chambers, its staff or its members. We have appropriate internal procedures for addressing clients' concerns and take their comments seriously. Clarendon Chambers operates strategic development and annual planning processes to ensure that clear objectives are set and the services we provide keep pace with changing client needs and a rapidly changing legal profession. We welcome your views regarding our services and, to this end, would encourage you to provide feedback regarding the service provided, either on a case by case basis or during training and social events. From time to time, we will also conduct Client surveys to gauge opinion on how well we are achieving our objectives and would appreciate a few minutes of your time in completing the form if you are one of our clients selected, at random, to participate in this process. In the meantime, thank you for your valued instructions and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of further assistance. |
|