Contractual Terms
General
The default terms under which barristers at 3VB will accept instructions are those defined in version 3.0 of the “General Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to Solicitors in Commercial Matters” agreed by the Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR) and the City of London Law Society (CLLS) (known as the ‘COMBAR/CLLS Terms’) on Payment Basis A. These terms may be seen here. Guidance notes to the COMBAR/CLLS terms are available here.
The Bar’s Code of Conduct also obliges barristers to accept instructions under terms drawn up by the Bar Council, “The Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons 2012” (known as the “Bar Council Standard Terms”). These terms may be seen here.
Some barristers at 3VB may consider variations to the Basis of the COMBAR/CLLS Terms or other terms, including conditional fee agreements.
Barristers at 3VB may be instructed by a solicitor, a qualified foreign lawyer and certain approved organisations under the Licensed Access scheme. Several of our barristers are also able to accept instructions in certain circumstances directly from lay clients. Specific contractual terms apply to instructions under the Licensed Access and Direct Access schemes.
Our practice managers will be happy to discuss any questions relating to our barristers’ terms and quotations for work can be provided on request.
Fee Transparency
Professional clients may contact Chambers to obtain a quotation for legal services using the contact details provided on the Contact Us section of this website. Quotations will usually be provided within 14 days (depending on need and urgency) and in clear and understandable terms. However, by providing a quotation this does not amount to the acceptance of instructions. If you accept our quote, we will confirm in writing acceptance of your instructions and the terms and/or basis on which we will be acting, including the basis of charging.
Pricing models for legal services include charges by an hourly rate, a fixed fee or an agreed brief fee and refreshers. Fees will include VAT where applicable. Unless otherwise agreed, Counsel’s hourly rate may be reviewed from time to time, and we will notify you of any proposed increase in the rate.
We may also accept instructions under conditional fee agreements, and damages-based agreements (agreements where payment terms are contingent on the outcome of proceedings) in certain circumstances. For more information, please contact our practice managers.
The areas of law in which members of chambers most commonly provide legal services are described on the Areas of Expertise section and on the profiles of individual members of chambers on this website.
Factors which might influence the timescale of the provision of legal services, include the complexity of the matter; the availability of the client, the barrister and any relevant third parties; the volume of documents to review; the need for additional information or documents; court waiting times and the urgency of the matter.
Our practice managers would be very happy to discuss alternative contractual and fee arrangements as required.
