Price Transparency

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 and court waiting times.

The following are the types of fee that are commonly accepted by members of Chambers for privately paid work:

Brief fee and refresher

A brief fee is a fixed fee which covers preparation for a trial and the first day. A refresher is a fixed fee for each subsequent day of the trial (which includes ongoing preparation).

Conditional fee agreement

A client will only pay for work doneif they receive compensation as a result of the proceedings. Conditional fee agreements are often referred to as “no win, no fee” agreements.

Fixed fee

We will charge a client a set amount of money for work. This removes the anxiety of not knowing how long the work might take and therefore the cost. However, by charging on a fixed fee basis we will be taking on the risk that the work may take longer than expected, and so may charge a higher fee to compensate for this. There may also be circumstances where additional fees are charged, these circumstances will be clearly set out in any fixed fee agreement that we reach with a client.

Hourly rate

When a legal services provider charges a client per hour worked. The setting of hourly rates is not necessarily straightforward and a number of factors may determine the rate that we choose to set; for example, the complexity of the instructions, the difficulty or novelty of the questions raised, the seniority of the instructed barrister, the type of client, the urgency or otherwise of the work required and the other commitments of the instructed barrister.

Additional Costs

Please note that there may be additional costs, such as court fees and travel expenses, which are not included in the barrister’s fees. A list of court fees can be found online here.

Areas of work

The fees and timescales given below are estimates only and do not include VAT. For a more precise quotation and information about timescales, as well as more information about the key stages in any type of case, please contact our clerks.

Personal Injury

If you have had an accident which was not your fault and you wish to make a personal injury claim, our barristers may be able to advise and represent you.

Timescales for your claim vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the complexity of your claim, the need for additional documents and the other side’s approach. However, more straightforward cases will ideally settle within six months of a claim being made. If a trial is required, as a guide, the courts tend to have a hearing date within two years of the claim being made.

Employment Tribunal

Our barristers can advise both employees and employers on ordinary unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal claims. Our barristers can also represent both employees and employers at the Employment Tribunal.

Timescales for your case may vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the complexity of your case, the need for additional documents and the other side’s approach. However, as a guide, more straightforward cases tend to have a hearing date four to six months of a claim being made.

Divorce

Our barristers can advise you if you and your former partner cannot agree on financial matters during, or after, a divorce. For example, you may not be able to agree on how assets should be divided, whether to sell your home or other assets, maintenance payments or pension sharing. If you cannot agree, you can apply to court for a financial order. You may need to attend a number of court hearings – our barristers can represent you in these hearings.

Timescales for your case may vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the value and complexity of your assets, whether you have children, how much you have already agreed with your former partner, and their approach. Written advice on your financial dispute will be available within 4 weeks where possible. As a guide, court hearings for a financial order tend to take six to twelve months. This does not include possible appeals.

Immigration

If you wish to appeal against a Home Office visa or immigration decision, our barristers can advise and represent you. You can ask us just to submit an appeal form, or ask for a hearing at the First-tier tribunal (immigration and asylum chamber) – our barristers can advise you about this. The first-tier tribunal can also itself decide to hold a hearing.

Please note that barristers are not allowed to do legal aid work on a public access basis. To help you make an informed decision about whether to apply for legal aid or proceed with Public Access, you can use the legal aid eligibility calculator on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid

Timescales for our services may vary depending on factors such as barristers’ availability, the complexity of your case and the need for additional documents. As you must appeal a decision within 14 days (from within the UK) or 28 days (from outside the UK), please contact the clerks as soon as possible. you may also need advice and/or representation at short notice. If so, please contact the clerks: our barristers will aim to advise you and/or represent you at a hearing where possible.

All fee quotes from KBW Chambers are exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated