Terms of Business

1. Unless specifically agreed otherwise, our standard Terms and Conditions apply to all instructions accepted from the 31st January 2013. These can be found by following this link: Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services by St Ives Chambers to Authorised Persons 2012 (Updated for GDPR in 2018 and as amended 4th February 2019) as Referred to in Rule RC30.9c of the BSB Handbook. Our standard Terms and Conditions are based upon but not identical to the Bar Council’s New Standard Contractual Terms 2012 updated for GDPR) which can be found at Annexe T of the Bar Code of Conduct.
2. Whilst the New Contractual Terms provide that legal action may be taken for the recovery of fees once 30 days have elapsed since the delivery of Counsel’s fee note, we assure you that we will take all reasonable steps to avoid the issue of proceedings. We will ensure that a Senior Partner or Managing Director of the instructing firm or organisation is made aware of the outstanding fees, and adequate time is available to investigate and resolve matters. Reasonable notice will be given of any intention to issue proceedings legal action.
3. Where the Barrister is to be paid directly by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) or Crown Prosecution Service (or their successors) all sections of the New Contractual Terms pertaining to the management / conduct of the case will still apply, except as it relates to the timescales for payment, the charging of interest and the provision to take legal action in pursuit of non-payment.
4. Where payment of Counsel’s fees by the Legal Aid Agency is dependent upon the receipt by the LAA of a Bill from those instructing Counsel, we ask that the Bill and relevant documentation must be submitted to the LAA in a timely manner, and in any event within 3 months from either the conclusion of the case or discharge of the certificate, unless otherwise agreed with Barrister or his Clerk.
5. Where the lay client has a full public funding certificate, but costs are to be recovered from a third party or central funds, we ask that those instructing Counsel notify us at the earliest opportunity that this situation exists. Furthermore, payment is required within 30 days of the recovery of those costs by those instructing Counsel, or 90 days from settlement or conclusion of the case, whichever is the first in time. If delays do occur, we ask that our clients keep us informed as to the progress and recovery of costs, and respond promptly to any enquiries made in this regard.
6. Where instructions are received from persons licensed by the Bar Council to instruct Counsel, it is intended that all sections of the New Contractual Terms pertaining to the management / conduct of the case will still apply.
7. Where Counsel is instructed under the Public Access Scheme (whereby qualifying Barristers may accept instructions from members of the public), the Terms and Conditions under which this work is carried out is covered by the Client Care Letter which will be provided by Counsel in respect of each piece of work he agrees to undertake.
8. Where work is accepted on a Conditional Fee Basis, the Terms and Conditions will be covered by a signed CFA as well as our Standard Pay at End Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services by St Ives Chambers to Authorised Persons 2012 (Updated for GDPR in 2018 and as amended 4th February 2019) as Referred to in Rule RC30.9c of the BSB Handbook. Chambers adopts the standard terms as per the Personal Injuries Bar Association guidelines.
9. Where agreement has been reached that payment will not be made until after the matter has concluded, payment is required within 30 days of the recovery of those costs by those instructing Counsel, or 90 days from settlement or conclusion of the case, whichever is the first in time.
10. Due to the time that may elapse between work being done and payment being received, we ask that those instructing Counsel respond promptly to all requests for information which will be made from time to time.
11. For cases in which instructions have been accepted by the Barrister before the 31st January 2013, the Terms and Conditions as set out in Annexe G1 of the Bar Code of Conduct apply.

Fees

If you are interested in instructing a Barrister at St Ives Chambers, you can ask your Solicitor (if you are instructing one) to contact one of our clerks to discuss fees depending on the nature of the work involved. You can also contact St Ives Chambers, a Barrister you may be interested in instructing, or their clerk to obtain a quotation for legal services and provide contact details.

Some members of St Ives Chambers with the appropriate experience and training also accept instructions on a Public Access basis i.e. directly from members of the public. For more information about Public Access and whether it is right for you, please click here.

St Ives Chambers accepts instructions which are funded in a number of ways including; legal aid, private funding, insurance backed and when appropriate, under a conditional fee agreement (CFA).

The most commonly used pricing models in Chambers for all work other than legal aid, is charged using hourly rates or on a fixed fee basis. All fees will be subject to VAT at the applicable rate (unless exemptions apply). These fees are agreed separately for each individual case and will vary according to the seniority and experience of Counsel and the complexity and urgency of the case.

A guide to the range of hourly rates we may seek to charge is provided below. These rates are based upon the seniority and experience of the instructed barrister:

Pupils	£85 – £125
1 – 5 years call	£100 – £175
5 – 10 years call	£125 – £250
10 – 15 years call	£150 – £300
15+ years call	£200 – £350
King’s Counsel	£300+

 

The clerk will provide you with either the hourly rate applicable to the suitable barrister for your case, or a fixed fee quote for the work discussed. We will always endeavour to provide an accurate quote prior to, or upon receipt of instructions. However, there may be times when we will seek to renegotiate Counsels fees or the time by which to provide a quotation, if the scope of the work alters and/or we require further information.

Court Hearing

The basis upon which fees are 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

Timescales

There are a number of factors which can affect timescales, including (but not limited to): –

• availability of the barrister, client and any third parties
• volume of paperwork to be considered
• complexity of the case
• the need for any additional information or documentation
• the approach taken by the other parties in the case
• court waiting times

We will make every effort to promptly agree and adhere to all timescales. If for any reason this is not possible we will contact the client at the earliest opportunity to discuss what steps may be taken to manage the situation, for example by extending the deadline by agreement or re-allocating the work to another member of Chambers who can complete the work within the original timescale.

Stage of Case	Range of Fixed fees (estimates)
Written advice on your financial dispute	£500 – £3000 + VAT
Preparation of case including meetings with you and assistance with drafting of any court documents	£500 – £3000 + VAT
First Appointment (first court hearing exchanging financial information)	£1500 – £3500 + VAT
Financial Dispute Appointment (second court hearing to reach a financial settlement)	£2250 – £5000 + VAT
First day of Final Hearing (if no settlement was reached in the financial dispute resolution appointment)	£3000 – £10,000 + VAT
Court appearances per day after the first day of Final Hearing	£1500 – £5000 + VAT

Written Advice	Range of Fixed fees (estimates)
Written advice on making or defending a claim	£500 – £3000 + VAT

Equality statement

We are fully committed to ensuring that all users of our complaints procedure are treated fairly, with respect, and without discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion or belief and in accordance with the law.