Terms of Business and Basis of Fees

The Senior Clerk is available to discuss fee levels and basis of fees with our clients. 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.

The basis of fees to be charged will be agreed in advance of work being performed. A written quotation can be provided on request.
The basis upon which fees are charged will take into consideration a number of factors including:

• Seniority and experience of Counsel required
• Time taken to complete the work
• Length of case and the commitment required
• Complexity, seriousness and value of the case
• Expenses incurred including travel and accommodation

It is our policy to render a fee note on completion of any work incurred.

On privately funded cases, we expect our fees to be settled within 14 days of receipt of the 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 fee collection procedures.

Complaints

Complaints should be addressed to the Senior Clerk who will investigate the matter in conjunction with the Head of Chambers.

We take very seriously all expressions of dissatisfaction from our clients. If you have a complaint you are invited to let us know as soon as possible.

Complaints by telephone

Please telephone the Senior Clerk if your complaint relates to a barrister. If the complaint is about a member of staff, please telephone the Head of Chambers. If it is about the Senior Clerk please contact the Head of Chambers. The person you contact will make a note of the details of your complaint and what you feel should be done about it. They will discuss your concerns with you and aim to resolve them. If the outcome is resolved, they will record the outcome; check that you are satisfied with the outcome and record that you are satisfied. You may also wish to record the outcome of the telephone discussion in writing.

If your complaint is not resolved on the telephone, you will be invited to write to us outlining your complaint within the next 14 days so it can be investigated formally.

Complaints Made in Writing

Please give the following details:

• Your name and address
• Which member(s) of chambers you are complaining about
• The details of your complaint and what you feel should be done about it.

Please address your letter to:
The Senior Clerk
The Chambers of Martin Blount
18 Carlton Crescent
Southampton
Hampshire SO15 2ET.
Telephone: 023 8063 9001

Within 28 days of your letter being received the Senior Clerk will fully investigate the complaint. Their reply will set out:

• The nature and scope of their investigation
• Their conclusion on the complaint and the basis for their conclusion
• If they find that you are justified in your complaint, their proposals for resolving the complaint.

The person appointed to investigate will write to you as soon as possible to let you know they have been appointed and that they will reply to your complaint within 28 days. If they later discover that they are not going to be able to respond within 28 days they will set a new date for their reply and inform you.

Confidentiality

All conversations and documents relating to the complaint will be treated as strictly confidential and will be disclosed only to the extent that is necessary. Such people will include the barrister or member of staff you have complained about and the person investigating your complaint.

Our Policy

As part of our commitment to client care we make a written record of any complaint using our Corrective Action Report. The Senior Clerk conducts an annual review of all complaints to detect any emerging or recurrent trends and will assess the need for preventative action, and either instigate the necessary measures in liaison with the relevant personnel or report proposals to the Management Committee.

Complaints to the Bar Council (professional body for barristers)

We hope that you will use out in house procedures. However if you would rather not to do so or are unhappy with the outcome you do have the choice of taking up your complaint with the Bar Council. You can write to them at:

Complaints Department,
The General Council of the Bar
289-293 High Holborn
London WC1V 7HZ

Telephone - 020 7242 0082
www.barcouncil.org.uk