Fees Policy

 

 

Our policy is to be open, clear and transparent at all times. We aim to ensure you have a full understanding of the basis for calculation of all fees charged. We firmly believe this and aim to demonstrate our policy in everything we do. 

 

 

We aim to have an open and transparent approach to fees but we understand that sometimes, you just need a job done and have a specific budget to work towards. If that’s the case, please do just let us know when making the call or submitting online. If we know the budget in advance and we know what needs to be done, we can find a solution. It’s very rare we cannot accommodate a budget!

 

We aim to complete and return all paperwork within 14 days (2 weeks) of receipt if no specific deadline is provided. We can work to much faster timescales if requested or we can agree a specific target date for each individual circumstance. We will always advise at the outset if Counsel is unable to meet any deadline.

 

Each Barrister has a standard hourly rate for their work. The individual hourly rate can be agreed when instructions are acknowledged if preferred. We welcome early discussion as to the suitability of specific Barristers for a specific case. The right Barrister will have the relevant expertise to deal with the case but will not be too junior, or too senior depending on the complexities.

 

We aim to allocate all cases to the correct level of experience & seniority; therefore they are likely to be the most cost effective.

 

If due to urgency we allocate paperwork to a more senior member of Clerksroom, we will charge the appropriate hourly rate for the work, not the Barrister. We welcome early discussion to ensure the correct fee is applied to the case at the outset.

 

Where a case is offered on the basis of a conditional fee agreement, the case is accepted in the first instance to review the prospects of success. If Counsel is prepared to accept the case under a conditional fee agreement, the advice on prospects is returned with the signed CFA agreement and an invoice for the advice which forms part of the CFA agreement and paid if the case is successful. Where a case is declined, it is returned with a note as to why. There is no review fee where the case is declined.

 

Fast Track Trial Costs are fixed under Part 46 of the Civil Procedure Rules. Click here to view the rules. We aim to charge only the fast track fees allowed and in most cases, we do not seek to charge for travel or accommodation costs. Where senior Counsel are specifically requested to attend a fast track trial for non-standard cases, travel and accommodation will be agreed where appropriate in advance and confirmed in writing to avoid any confusion.

 

 

Clerksroom undertake stage 3 oral hearings at all UK courts for a fixed fee of £250 + VAT. Click here to book online. For further information about the process, click here.

 

Multi-Track hearing fees are based on the simple calculation of the preparation undertaken, together with the time involved at court. Each Barrister has their own standard hourly rate which is multiplied by the number of ours work anticipated and the fee is proposed on that basis.

 

Uplifts for complexities can be applied where specific additional expertise is required but this will be outlined in any calculation and discussed in advance.

 

Our fees are based on the following:

 

For RTA's on or after 30 April 2010 (MoJ Portal cases):

 

Our small claims service throughout the UK includes every UK court centre. In order to ensure a commercially sensible service to meet your needs, we have a network of Barristers and Chambers throughout the UK linked into our “Brief Exchange” online system. Our network is currently over 150 UK chambers that have access to our web based allocation system. This is a free service offered to UK solicitors or anyone approved to instruct Counsel in the UK. Cases are submitted online and then allocated to suitable Counsel who agrees to accept the fee proposed by you. There is no charge for this service; it is free to all users. For the avoidance of doubt, Barristers or Chambers do not pay any commission to Clerksroom; it is a completely free service to everyone involved. Click here to submit a case and propose a fee. You will be sent an immediate acknowledgement with a unique reference number. We then put you in touch with a local Counsel prepared to accept the case at the fee stated and provide contact information for them. We then leave you to deal directly with them and we drop out of the loop. The agreement is strictly between you and them in the normal way and fees are paid directly to the Counsel instructed.

 

 

Our fees are based on the simple calculation of the preparation undertaken, together with the time involved at the hearing.  Each Barrister has their own standard hourly rate which is multiplied by the number of ours work anticipated and the fee is proposed on that basis.

 

Uplifts for complexities can be applied where specific additional expertise is required but this will be outlined in any calculation and discussed in advance.

 

Some of our Barristers  will accept matters where public funding is in place for Civil or Family cases, particularly where the matter relates to family disputes involving Children. We are happy to discuss any specific case and organise suitable Counsel who is available and willing to accept the instructions. As with all our services, please do contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

 

Our starting point is £500 + VAT per party for our all inclusive fixed fee scheme for matters with a fast track level claim. We also offer a commercial fixed fee scheme at £750 + VAT per party which includes the preparation time, mediation day, admin fee and venue cost including tea/coffee and water.

 

Where the parties wish to select the mediator from the database, we will provide a written quotation for the selected mediator of your choice. Our quote will detail the mediators preparation cost, the mediators fee for the day, the administration fee and any venue costs including catering. We offer a transparent and clear quote on all matters and encourage the use of fixed fee schemes were possible.

 

*subject to success uplift in Conditional Fee Agreement cases where applicable

Updated: 26th September 2011