Transparency Policy

We aim to be as transparent as possible when providing information about timescales, fees, public access instructions, complaints and the areas of law in which we practice.

THE MANDATORY RULES

The Bar Standards Board, introduced mandatory rules on price, service and redress transparency for all self-employed barristers in 2019. Barristers must provide information about price, service and redress on all their websites and to consumers on request.

The mandatory rules require Excel Barristers to:

1. State that professional, licensed access and/or lay clients (as appropriate) may contact Excel Barristers to obtain a quotation for legal services.
2. Provide our contact details:
   The contact details for Excel Barristers are available on the Contact page of this website.
   
3. State our Terms of Business and most commonly used pricing models:

Our terms of business, including the various pricing and payment options are below:

1. We will at all times abide by the Bar Code of Conduct when dealing with clients, both lay and professional;
2. We will at all times adhere to o the BSB equality policy when dealing with clients, both lay and professional, colleagues, suppliers and others;
3. All work carried out for clients will be on the basis of the written instructions received;
4. The ‘Standard Conditions of Contract for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons 2020’ will apply to all instructions received for new work and cases in which we have previously appeared, unless alternative terms of work are specifically agreed in writing. Please read more about these terms in the Contractual Terms section of the Bar Council, Ethics and Practice website https://www.barcouncilethics.co.uk/documents/contractual-terms/
5. We accept cases on the following payment terms:
   – Hourly rates
   – Fixed fee where we are being asked to carry out a specific instruction or job.
   – Legal Aid
   – Public Access contractual agreement
6. We are happy to provide a cost estimate for any case on request.
7. We expect all professional clients to advise us immediately of any change of circumstances or amendment to the instructions already given.
8. The legal services we most commonly provide are advocacy, legal advice and drafting of legal documentation also known as ‘pleadings’.
9. In providing our expertise we aim to set and adhere to strict timelines so as to give clients certainty. Please be aware that issues such as changes to court listing timetables, changes to instructions and unexpected events may occasionally impact on delivery deadlines. The Code of Conduct guides barristers in relation to these matters and our barristers adhere to the Code of Conduct. In those circumstances we will seek to immediately advise you and agree alternative arrangements so as to ensure your case is not negatively impacted. Factors which determine how long it will take to deliver the services you require include:
   – The availability of the barrister where a specific barrister is requested
   – The availability of the client or relevant third parties;
   – The complexity of the case;
   – The amount of papers you need to review;
   – The need for additional information or documents;
   – The approach taken by the other side;
   – Third parties intervening in the case; and
   – Court waiting times.

4. Where we are unable to carry out the work we will, with your agreement reallocate the matter another barrister in alternative Chambers of equal or greater standing and experience.
5. Link to the Barristers’ Register page on our website.
   We are authorised to practise by the Bar Standards Board and appear on the Barristers’ Register.  A link to the barristers’ register can be found by clicking here:
   https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/for-the-public/search-a-barristers-record/the-barristers-register.html
6. Provide information about the factors which might influence the timescales of the barrister’s, chambers’ or BSB entity’s most commonly provided legal services:
7. Display information about the complaints procedure, any right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman, how to complain to the Legal Ombudsman and any time limits for making a complaint:
8. State the areas of practice in which an individual barrister, chambers or BSB entity most commonly provides legal services:
   We are experts in Employment Law, Public Law, Immigration Law, Regulatory law and Professional Discipline and Family Law.
   
9. State and provide a description of the barrister’s, chambers’ or BSB entity’s most commonly provided legal services:We provide advice, support, and advocacy services across a wide range of areas of areas including drafting legal documentation.We provide advice, support, and advocacy services across a wide range of areas of areas including drafting legal documentation.

FEES

1. How much our services will cost depends on the particular circumstances of your case, the amount of preparatory work required and the length pf the case. Fees are quoted on a case-to-case basis and professional clients and direct access clients and lay clients can contact us to obtain a quotation for our legal services.
2. Some cases, which escape the fee range provided, may result in additional costs. You will be advised about refresher fees, which are the fees we charge on the subsequent days of the main hearing, if the main hearing is expected to continue for more than one day. All possible additional costs which can be reasonably foreseen will be communicated to your before they are incurred.
3. We also set out some indicative fees and timing information on our Direct Access page which confirms how in many circumstances, you can instruct a barrister to advise you and represent you directly in your case.

PUBLIC ACCESS

1. There are additional transparency rules for those Barristers undertaking Direct/ Public Access work.
2. You can also view the Bar Standards Board’s Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients which you can find here https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/for-the-public/finding-and-using-a-barrister/how-to-instruct-a-barrister/public-access-guidance-for-lay-clients.html
3. To instruct us on a public access basis, please view our Public Access page which is here ().
4. All information in regard to the process, costs and timescales can be viewed on this page. If you have any further questions or need guidance on this process then please do not hesitate to contact us on info@excelbarristers.com and we will respond within 3 working days.
5. The work we undertake on a public access basis can cost anywhere between £150 and £750 per hour, depending on the complexity of the case and the work involved. Public access clients usually agree a fixed fee. Fees will not normally include VAT. There will be no hidden additional costs. Any additional costs will be set out in an agreement and included in advance. The most usual additional cost is e travel expenses  and accommodation where a hearing or meeting is in a court that is more than 40 miles away.
6. Despite being registered for public access we still receive instructions from solicitors’ firms and are also able to assist you in deciding whether or not your case requires a solicitor. Where your case does not require a solicitor, we will be able to represent you directly, including drafting legal documents, court forms and letters and representing you in court. Where your case does require a solicitor we can assist you in finding the right solicitor.

LEGAL AID

1. For certain types of cases clients may be entitled to Legal Aid however it is your responsibility to make these enquiries whether or you as an individual, or your case, would qualify for Legal Aid. To find out more information regarding Legal Aid please visit  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/civil-legal-aid-means-testing or contact a solicitor regarding your eligibility.
2. We are able to work on both a fixed fee or an hourly rate. It is more usual for us to agree a fixed fee for specific, identified work. We will discuss this in advance to reach a suitable agreement as to what is most appropriate taking into account your case and your circumstances. The agreement will be stated in a written contract. We do not accept payment by Credit or Debit Card. The most common payment method is BACS transfer directly into our professional bank account.