Instructing us

Where instructions are submitted to a barrister for paperwork, they will normally be reviewed by the barrister within 48 hours of receipt into chambers. Paperwork received after 5.00pm. will be deemed as received the following working day. The purpose of the 48-hour review is to ensure that our barrister is able to accept the instructions and to return the completed work within the required timescale. If no timescale is specified, we aim to return all papers within 14 days. You are welcome to specify an earlier timescale for the return of papers by marking your requirements clearly on the instructions. Where your barrister requires further information from you, or there is some other agreed reason to defer the work, the timescale for return of the papers will be adjusted accordingly and our team will endeavour to keep you informed. In some cases, it may be necessary for us to approach you and discuss an extension of time for the completion of work. If that occurs, we will aim to provide you with the option of instructing an alternative barrister, if you wish, and the clerks would be happy to assist you with this process.

Chambers will accept password protected instructions by email, although instructing clients are advised to consult with one of the clerks in advance. Instructions sent by email will not be deemed as received until they have been acknowledged either by one of the clerks or the intended recipient. All instructions should be sent to clerks@atlanticchambers.co.uk or family@atlanticchambers.co.uk (depending on the barrister you wish to instruct, if you need assistance with this please telephone chambers 0151 236 4421).

Our preferred method for document sharing is via dropbox and the clerks can send you a secure link enabling you to to upload documents directly to us.

Wherever possible, we shall endeavour to ensure that your choice of barrister is available. However, we cannot guarantee this for cases which have not already been fixed for hearing when the papers are received. All efforts will be made to resolve conflicts between professional engagements, but sometimes it will be necessary for us to suggest details of those barristers that are available as an alternative, once the date is known. Where the date of the hearing is known when the booking is made, we will advise you at that time of any foreseeable problems and you will have the choice of whether to instruct an alternative barrister. Where unforeseen problems arise over a barrister’s attendance, we will inform you at the earliest opportunity and provide assistance in resolving the problem.

Clerks are fully aware of the potential for conflicts of interest and care is taken by the clerks with conflict checks in operation. Where chambers is instructed to act for both parties in a case, separate clerking will be provided.

Atlantic Chambers operates an open and fully transparent system when charging fees, and will work flexibly with you to provide the best possible solution. You may contact a member of Chambers’ clerks for a quotation whether you are any of the following:

• A professional client: these include solicitors and other practising lawyers able to instruct a barrister.
• A Licensed Access client: these include those that hold a licence issued by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) or are a member of a professional body recognised by the BSB.  For more information see the BSB’s Licensed Access Recognition Regulations.
• A direct lay client, known as Public Access: A rule change means that members of the public can now instruct a barrister direct. Guidance on this can be found here.

In the first instance, you should contact Chambers’ clerks, either by email: clerks@atlanticchambers.co.uk or by telephone: 0151 236 4421.

All members of Chambers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board, details of which can be found here.

All fees quoted to you will be inclusive of vat unless otherwise stated

When asked to quote a fee consideration of the following criteria will take place:

1. Seniority/expertise of counsel required;
2. Complexity if the case;
3. Value of the claim;
4. Preparation time;
5. Length of hearing including conference on the day of the hearing;
6. Any additional costs including expenses such as travel and hotel.

We offer options that will be suit your financial needs whether you are instructing us on a privately funded, legally funded, conditional fee agreement or public access basis, these include:

• Fixed fees agreed in advance – this option would usual be recommended for individual items of advisory work, providing the assurance of a definitive cost and timescale for the completion of work. There are occasions where we require more time, we would not expect this to influence the original fee quoted.
• Hourly rates: hourly rates for the completion of work will largely be dependant the criteria specified about at points 1 to 6.  As an example, hourly rates start from £90.00 per hour plus vat rand rises depending on the factors listed above.  We will work with you to find the best fit for your needs.
• Legally funded fees: Legally funded clients work is billed in accordance with the Legal Services Commission regulations for counsel’s fees.
• Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA) also known as no-win-no-fee: this work is considered on a case-by-case basis, the current APIL – Personal Injury Bar Association (PIBA) 9 form is in operation for personal injury and clinical negligence cases. Details of this can be found here.
• Direct Access and Licensed Access: this work is accepted, fees for this will be best suited to fixed fee or hourly rate depending on your requirements. You are obliged to pay for work in advance once the fee has been agreed.

We cover all areas of law and will work with you to support your from start to finish. At the glance these areas of law include:

• Civil and Common Law
• Chancery and Commercial Law
• Criminal Law
• Employment Law
• Family Law

If you are unsure which area your case will fall, please contact us for assistance.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHICH MAY INFLUENCE TIMESCALES 

We understand sometimes that you would like definitive timescales. However, cases vary and will depend on factors such as:

• A barrister’s availability;
• A client’s availability;
• The type and complexity of the case;
• The volume of documentation to be reviewed;
• The need for any additional information;
• The approach of the other-side;
• Any intervening third party;
• A court’s waiting time.

If you would like to discuss anything in relation to fees please contact our clerks at clerks@atlanticchambers.co.uk or telephone 0151 236 4421.

All members of Chambers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

Unless otherwise agreed or other terms apply, all work undertaken on a privately-paying basis by members of Chambers is undertaken on the terms and conditions of the Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons 2012, a copy of which can be found here.

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