Service Standards
Quality Assurance Statement
Availability
Instructions
Receipt of papers
Response times
Hearings and Conferences
Fees and billing
Payment
Feedback
Complaints
Equal opportunities
Assistance from you
Quality Assurance Statement
We are a forward-looking, approachable chambers whose integrity and traditions continue to ensure the highest standards of conduct. We are committed, through our efficiency and professionalism, to providing excellence in advocacy, advice and administration. Top
Availability
Our clerks’ room is staffed from 08:30-18:00. Out-of-hours telephone numbers are available on request.
All members, pupils and our administration team are contactable by direct email. Please view members’ profiles and the administration team page for further information.
All members of the administration team have direct dial telephones with voicemail.
All members have remote-access voicemail. Top
Instructions
Members of Albion Chambers accept instructions from all solicitors and agencies as permitted by the Bar Council’s Code of Code.
We accept instructions on paper and with prior agreement, by email and disk.
We will not accept any instructions that breach the Bar Code of Conduct or Equality Code. Top
Receipt of papers
All briefs, instructions and ancillary papers are logged on to the chambers’ Meridian Law system and forwarded to the relevant barrister immediately.
All briefs and instructions are acknowledged in writing.
Faxes are logged and forwarded to the relevant barrister or clerk.
A Conflict of Interest check is made on all cases. Top
Response times
All written work will be returned within 21 days of receipt unless otherwise requested. Written work can be provided on email, disk or CD on request.
We aim to return telephone calls as soon as possible but in any event before the end of the working day on which the message is received. Top
Hearings and Conferences
All hearings and conferences will be acknowledged in writing.
The clerks will keep instructing solicitors informed of any changes of circumstances that may affect a booking.
We aim to minimise any changes of representation. When a change is necessary the clerks will give as much advance notice as possible and make every effort to provide suitable alternative counsel.
While many conferences take place in chambers we are always prepared to travel other venues when necessary. Top
Fees and billing
We accept instructions from both private and publicly funded clients and cases that are union and insurance backed.
Where appropriate, we undertake work on a Conditional Fee basis subject to the signing of contracts. A copy of our standard agreement is available on request.
We aim to bill within two days of work being completed in matters where fees have been agreed in advance. In all other matters we aim to submit bills within one week of the completion of a case.
Fees for publicly funded work will be billed at the relevant rates in accordance with current guidelines.
In billing privately funded matters we take into account various factors including; experience of counsel, complexity and length of involvement in the case. Our clerks are always happy to discuss charge-out rates and fees, and to provide estimates. Top
Payment
We request payment within 30 days of the issue date of our fee notes except where alternative agreements have been made. Top
Feedback
We always welcome feedback from our clients on all aspects of Chambers’ services and are committed to a continual improvement of service.
Please use the our feedback form to pass on any comments to our Chambers Director, Paul Fletcher. Top
Complaints
The members of Chambers, clerks and other members of the administration team at Albion Chambers take great pride in offering high levels of service to clients. However we recognise that unexpected problems can sometimes arise. Any complaints or concerns about our services should be address to the Chambers Director, Paul Fletcher. Your complaint will be fully investigated in accordance with our Complaints Procedure.
Formal complaints concerning matters of professional conduct may also be addressed to the Bar Standards Board. Please click here to download a copy of our Complaints Policy and Procedure. Top
Equal Opportunities and Diversity
Albion Chambers operates an equal opportunities and non-discrimination diversity policy.
We are committed to ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated more or less favourably on the grounds of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political persuasion, age or disability whether they be existing or potential clients, employees, members, pupils or providers of services to chambers.
We abide by the guidelines of the Bar Council’s Equality Code for the bar.
For further information regarding our Equal Opportunities policy please contact Fiona Elder or 0117 927 2144 Top
Assistance from you
“More information is better than less”
Your assistance can help us to improve our services. In order for counsel to provide the best possible advice and representation it is important that time is given for preparation. We ask that all briefs and instructions are delivered at the earliest possible stage, but in any event where possible not less than two days before any hearing. It is important that our diaries reflect the current status of all cases; please notify us as early as possible when cases settle, are likely to be adjourned or will not require counsel’s attendance. Top
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