We are keen to provide open and transparent information in relation to how much engaging us will cost you.
Our clerks will help you in assessing the appropriate counsel for your case and the likely cost, whether you are a professional or a direct access client.
We work upon the information provided by our clients and, as long as the prospective case is within our areas of expertise and there is sufficient information about the case, we can give a quote for fees both verbally and in writing, usually via email.
Many criminal clients will be eligible for publicly funded representation through the Legal Aid scheme / “Representation Orders” granted by the Legal Aid Agency [ LAA ] . These cases will require the client to instruct a solicitor who will consult with chambers to determine an appropriate barrister for the particular case.
Clients who do not qualify for public funding or who choose to pay privately may instruct a barrister of their choice. They may discuss with us the most appropriate barrister for the case – either directly or via a solicitor. That discussion will include that barrister’s current and future availability and the likely cost for their services.
We operate two main pricing methods for privately funded work at Rose Court Chambers – fixed fee and hourly rates. Sometimes there is a need to use a combination of the two, for instance a trial preparation fee based on the rate per hour and fixed daily attendance fees. Full information will be given by our clerks during consultation and fees generated will be backed up with counsel’s written log of work done, timed and dated.
Factors that will be taken into account when assessing and proposing that barrister’s fees include:
• The apparent complexity of the case;
• The seniority of the barrister;
• The circumstances of the case, including whether it is of public importance;
• The volume of documentation and likely preparation time;
• The potential length of engagement in the case overall and any trial proceedings.
We are often asked to agree varied fee structures such as:
• A ‘whole case fee’;
• Fixed brief fee (case preparation, conferences, and first day of trial) and fixed daily fees (called “refreshers”);
• An hourly rate for preparation and fixed court attendance fees.
We are also amenable to considering differing payment terms, which can be discussed in detail with our clerking team at an early stage.
Timescales for provision of our legal assistance can be affected by a number of different factors such as :
• The nature of the case;
• The availability of the barrister selected and any other professional or personal commitments;
• Timely case instructions and provision of all necessary material;
• Case complexity and volume of material to be read.
All barristers at Rose Court Chambers, other than probationary tenants and pupils, are registered for Value Added Tax and this will be added to their professional fees. They are also all regulated by the Bar Standards Board, insured by the Bar Mutual Professional Indemnity Insurance scheme and are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office [ “ICO” ], and maintain the highest standards with reference to data storage and protection.
Direct access clients will find more information on the services provided by Chambers under this scheme in the dedicated section on our website. The Bar Standards Board’s ‘Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients’ can be found here.
By way of general guidance Counsel who receive instructions directly from a lay client in a summary only motoring offence, can provide advice and representation in the Magistrates’ Court.
These cases are typically in relation such offences as careless driving, driving whilst disqualified or without appropriate insurance, speeding, failing to stop etc. They usually take varying forms;
• Single hearing – advice and/ or representation;
• Plea of guilty including special reasons and exceptional hardship mitigation and any sentencing;
• Not guilty trial and any sentence hearing;
• Legal arguments in respect of admissible evidence and staying proceedings for legal reasons.
Cases can be adjourned for additional information or for evidence to be adduced, for pre-sentence or psychiatric reports or by other orders of the court.
You can ordinarily expect to receive any requested written advice within 2 weeks unless especially urgent. Our clerks will strive to ensure that the instructed barrister will be available to appear for you at court.
The fees you are likely to be charged are dictated by the particulars needs of you the client, and your case. The case maybe straightforward requiring a junior barrister, or it may be a Crown Court case of particular complexity necessitating the instruction of a senior barrister, even up to the level of Queen’s Counsel.
It is likely that we would be able to charge you a fixed fee for this type of case, either for the whole case, or on an item by item basis, so that you would have a level of costs certainty from the beginning.
A typical range of fees, to which 20% VAT must be added, would be:
• Written advice – £75 to £1000;
• Preparation, conferences, assistance with documents – £250 to £2,500
(up to a maximum of 3 hours, £100 to £1,000 per hour thereafter)
• A ‘Guilty’ plea – £150 to £5000;
• First appearance – £100 to £1500;
• First day of trial – £750 to £10,000;
• Refreshers – £250 to £2,500.
This is a wide range of fees anticipating cases at both ends of the scale, but a more definitive guide will be offered to you on first contact with our clerks. There is however, no set upper or lower limit, as each case can only be assessed on its own merits. A clear and transparent formal contract between counsel and the client will be drawn up setting out the services to be provided, the fees for these services and payment terms.
In certain circumstances that may arise there may be additional work demanded of Counsel which may result in extra costs to the client which you will be advised of at the first opportunity. These may include, but are not limited to : service of additional evidence, significant changes in the instructions provided / client’s case, unforeseen lengthening of court proceedings.
Links to other useful information:
• BSB website ‘Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients’
