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Client Care

Members of chambers act both in advising clients and in representing clients in court. Barristers at Apex Chambers appear at all levels of the criminal courts, including the Magistrates’ Court, the Crown Court, the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. 

Members of chambers provide legal services in the areas of criminal and regulatory law.

Barristers at Apex Chambers act for the Crown Prosecution Service (‘CPS’), other prosecuting agencies and for Defendants on both a legal aid and privately funded basis.

Terms of Engagement
All work accepted by Barristers at Apex Chambers is accepted on a fully enforceable contractual basis. The precise nature of the contractual basis, and the obligations arising under it will depend on the 
means by which that work is funded. The submission of instructions to counsel directed to a particular Barrister constitutes your offer to engage the services of that Barrister in carrying out the work specifically within the scope of the instructions in return for a fee which is either agreed in advance or otherwise will be determined in accordance with the relevant contractual basis. In the case of privately paid work, that remuneration will be based on the applicable hourly rate for that Barrister multiplied by the time taken to carry out the work. The Barristers commencement of the performance of the work constitutes acceptance of that offer and on the terms indicated.

Fee Transparency

Members of chambers undertake work on a legal aid or private paying basis. Fees are generally considered on a case-by-case basis, but it is possible to enter into set fee structures for particular types of volume work. We take into account the seniority of the barrister who carried out the work, the degree to which specialist knowledge was required, the complexity and urgency of the matter and the total time taken to complete the work, including, for conferences, any travelling involved. Normally, fees for paperwork and conferences are not agreed in advance, but estimates can be provided based upon an individual's hourly rate and the time likely to be involved.

 

Fees are generally charged on the following basis for the following areas:

  • Criminal work on a private basis is often charged on the basis of an agreed fee on either an hourly rate or a fixed fee.

  • Work undertaken on behalf of the CPS is publicly funded and charged at a fixed rate.

  • Regulatory and disciplinary work is often charged on the basis of an agreed fee on either an hourly rate or a fixed fee.

  • Barristers also provide their services to clients funded by the Legal Aid Agency.

When a fee is provided or agreed, it will specify whether VAT is applicable. 

Fee quotations are binding, unless the scope of the legal services changes then the quotation will not be binding. The provision of a quotation does not amount to the acceptance of instructions. Upon a client's acceptance of a quotation we will provide written acceptance of the instructions and the terms and/or basis on which the barrister will be acting, including the basis of charging.

Our clerks are available to discuss fees and provide a quotation for legal services on request. Our clerks will be able to provide you with information about what may cause any fee quotes to vary.

 

For a quotation, please contact the clerks on 029 2023 2032, email clerks@apexchambers.net or complete our Enquiry Form.


Timescales
Timescales for cases vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the type and complexity of the case, the approach of the other side and Court waiting times.

 

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