Transparency Statement

 

 

About us

Barristers in chambers practise in Commercial, Employment, Public, Information and Data Law. Our clients are mostly in-house lawyers and solicitors in private practice in the UK and around the world; and sometimes members of the public, under the Public Access Scheme click here.

Contact us

The following are invited to contact the clerks on clerksroom@11kbw.com for a quote for our barristers’ services:

  • Solicitors or other practising lawyers;
  • Licensed Access clients, who may either hold a licence issued by the Bar Standards Board, or be a member of a professional body which has been recognised by the Bar Standards Board; and
  • Members of the public who wish to instruct a barrister under the Public Access scheme.

 

Fees

Our fees are determined on a case by case basis.  The pricing models which we most frequently use are based on hourly rates, with an estimate of fees provided on receipt of instructions but before any chargeable work is incurred.  When we have given fee estimates, we do our best to remain within that estimate, and in circumstances where less time has been spent, then only the hours worked will be charged. We always endeavour to notify clients in advance in circumstances where the fee estimate is likely to be exceeded and explain why.

We will consider agreeing fixed fees where appropriate; in such circumstances the fee that is agreed is the fee that will be charged, whether more or less time is spent.

Rates will vary with seniority and clerks will willingly discuss hourly rates for relevant counsel.  We can also provide indicative fees for hearings, which will be ballpark figures based on the information provided to us at the time.   Should a case proceed to a hearing, a fee will be agreed in advance (brief fee) and we may seek to have the fee delivered in set stages (tranches).  We will also charge a daily fee for each day spent in court after the first day (refresher fee).

Fees and estimates are subject to variation.  This can be as a result of the instructions expanding to include further questions or additional material for consideration by counsel, thus increasing reading and/or writing time; there will be occasions when the shape of a case changes in a way that could not be predicted at first instance, for example if another party is added, and circumstances such as those may cause an increase in the fee.

There are occasions where additional costs may be applied, most usually in the form of expenses eg the cost of travel outside London to a court or tribunal, a conference or a site view; or accommodation costs where the hearing is outside London and requires an overnight stay of one night or more; or the cost of sending hard copy documents eg bundles of authorities to various parties.

We may, on occasion, consider taking a case on a Conditional Fee Agreement, or a CFA lite, but that decision is one for individual counsel.

All figures quoted are subject to VAT, unless a client is based abroad.

Any queries regarding fees can be raised directly with the relevant clerk, or the senior clerks.

Timescales for a case may vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the type and complexity of the case, the other side’s approach, the amount of papers you need to review, the need to for additional information for documents, third parties intervening in the case and court waiting times. We endeavour always to work within a client’s requested time scale, however short that may be.  In circumstances where a deadline cannot be met, the client will be informed at the earliest opportunity.

Public access

If you are a member of the public, the Bar Standards Board’s Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients is enclosed. This will help you to understand how the Public Access scheme works, and explains how you can use it to instruct barristers directly. Click here to read guidance note.

For work undertaken under the Public Access Scheme, a fee is agreed and payment made in advance of the work being done. For more information on how to instruct 11KBW on Public Access matters, click here.

Regulatory and complaints information

Barristers in chambers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board. You can search the Barristers’ Register on the Bar Standards Board’s website: click here. This shows (1) whether a barrister has a current practising certificate, and (2) whether a barrister has any disciplinary findings, which are published on the Bar Standards Board’s website in accordance with their policy. Alternatively, you can contact the Bar Standards Board on 020 7611 1444 to ask about this (or e-mail ContactUs@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk).

You can also search the decision data on the Legal Ombudsman’s website: click here. This shows providers which received an ombudsman’s decision in the previous calendar year, and whether the Legal Ombudsman required the provider to give the consumer a remedy. Alternatively, you can contact the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333 to ask about this (or e-mail enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk).