4KBW - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

1. Who will represent my client?

2. Do I have to prepare a brief / instructions to Counsel?

3. What type of work is covered?

4. Which courts are covered?

5. How will I know the result of the case?

6. Are there any hidden extra costs?

7. Will VAT be charged on top of the quoted fees?

8. What types of cases are covered?

9. If I have a query whom should I contact?

10. Will my barrister have insurance cover?

11. Do I have to be a solicitor in order to give instructions?

12. What if the hearing lasts more than the listed time?

13. What about hearings listed to last more than an hour?

14. Do you accept instructions by fax and e-mail?

15. Will I be sent an attendance note?

16. How do I book counsel?

1. Who will represent my client?
The profiles of the barristers who offer their services under the fixed fee scheme appear on this website. All are either junior tenants or working pupils who hold higher court advocacy rights and are between one and five years call. Like all barristers in private practice they hold a current Bar Council practising certificate and professional indemnity insurance cover.

2. Do I have to prepare a brief / instructions to Counsel?
No. In cases to which the fixed fee scheme applies we recognise that it would often be disproportionate to prepare formal instructions to Counsel. A covering letter enclosing the relevant case papers will generally suffice. We would ask you include in your letter your contact details, a brief resume of the nature of the hearing and what order is sought, the time, date and place of the hearing and any other relevant information that will not be apparent from the case papers.

3. What type of work is covered?
The fixed fee scheme applies to many of the more common hearings before District Judges.
Click here for a list of the hearings and the applicable rates.

4. Which courts are covered?
The fixed fee scheme applies to London county courts.

5. How will I know the result of the case?
Counsel will telephone you with the result of the case and send you an attendance note setting out what happened at the hearing and the order that was made.

6. Are there any hidden extra costs?
The fee quoted includes preparation time, hearing time, waiting time and all disbursements. So, for example, there is nothing extra to pay in respect of Counsel’s travel costs or if Counsel has to wait a long time at court before the case is called on. Please note however that, with the exception of small claims trials, the scheme covers cases which are listed to last and do last up to one hour. If the actual hearing time (ie time in court) exceeds one hour an additional fee will be levied of £5 for each additional ten minutes of hearing time.

7. Will VAT be charged on top of the quoted fees?
No. Most barristers under five years call do not have to be VAT registered. We can therefore offer this service for a fixed fee without any extras for disbursements or VAT.

8. What types of cases are covered?
The fixed fee scheme covers hearings before District Judges in small claims and fast track claims which are listed for one hour or less (save for small claims trials) and where the papers do not exceed 75 pages.

9. If I have a query whom should I contact?
Our clerks will be happy to help with any queries you have. They can be contacted on
08708 03 42 10 or by e-mailing Sandie Smith or Tom Priest.

10. Will my barrister have insurance cover?
Yes. All barristers in Chambers hold a full practising certificate and Bar Council approved professional indemnity insurance cover.

11. Do I have to be a solicitor in order to give instructions?
Yes. Chambers can only accept instructions from solicitors who have the right to instruct counsel on behalf of their lay clients.

12. What if the hearing lasts more than the listed time?
Provided the hearing time – ie the actual time in court – lasts no more than one hour there will be no additional charge. However if the hearing time exceeds one hour an additional charge will be levied at a rate of £5 for each additional ten minutes of court time. Please note however that this does not apply to small claims trials where there is no additional charge, no matter how long the trial lasts.

13. What about hearings listed to last more than an hour?
With the exception of small claims trials, the fixed fees quoted on this website only apply to hearings listed to last one hour or less. It is usually possible for Chambers to provide representation in these cases. Please contact the clerks room on 08708 03 42 10 or by e-mailing Sandie Smith or Tom Priest.

14. Do you accept instructions by fax and e-mail?
Yes. Chambers accepts instructions from Instructing Solicitors by DX, fax, post and e-mail. As none of these methods of delivery are infallible however, Instructing Solicitors should not assume instructions have been received and accepted until they have received such confirmation from Chambers. Chambers encourages Instructing Solicitors to make contact by telephone to enquire about the availability of counsel and to make bookings.

15. Will I be sent an attendance note?
Yes. A typed attendance note giving details of the hearing and the order made will be returned to you with your papers. It is usually possible to fax or e-mail a copy of the attendance note within 24 hours of the hearing if you request it.

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16. How do I book counsel?
Chambers can take bookings from Instructing Solicitors over the telephone. Our clerks can be contacted on 08708 03 42 10 – please ask for Sandie Smith or Tom Priest.