Ten Old Square is committed to providing its clients with the highest quality of service.

We welcome any feedback on the quality of our legal services and our administration in order to monitor our quality standards and make improvements where necessary.

Basis of Instruction

Fees
The Clerks will agree with the professional client the basis on which fees will be charged. Our policy is to promote transparency with regard to fee structures and, on request, our Clerks will produce accurate estimates of the overall fees likely to be involved.

Fees will typically be structured on the following bases:

Hourly Rate – The hourly rate applicable will be agreed taking into account the nature of the case and its complexity, and the experience of the barrister instructed.

Brief and Refresher Fees – Brief and Refresher fees apply where court work is required.

A Brief fee would usually include all trial preparation, a pre-trial conference (if needed), the fee for the first day spent in court and any work done during the course of the trial not covered by the Refreshers. 

Refreshers (or daily rate) cover each subsequent day spent in court. Brief fees and Refreshers will be assessed and agreed taking into account the nature of the case and its complexity, and the experience and standing of the barrister instructed.

Our Standard Terms of Business

Unless otherwise agreed, our standard terms of business are to request payment of counsel’s fees by the instructing client within 30 days of receipt of a feenote irrespective of whether they have been put in funds by their own client, in accordance with the Bar Council’s “The Terms of Work on which Barristers Offer their Services to Solicitors and the Withdrawal of Credit Scheme”. If a client anticipates that this will present a problem they should discuss their circumstances with the Clerks at the earliest opportunity.

However, we fully recognise that many cases will require a bespoke fee agreement. Our Clerks have many years of experience in negotiating barristers’ fees and are always available to discuss case-specific requirements.

Timescales and Deadlines

We are experienced in dealing with urgent matters and meeting strict deadlines.

The Clerks will aim to reach agreement on the required timescale as soon as practicable after receipt of instructions, having regard to the amount of work required and complexity of the case.

If unforeseen circumstances are likely to cause a delay, the barrister or Clerk will keep the client fully informed of progress.

Conflicts of Interest

Given the highly specialised nature of the work we undertake conflicts may occasionally arise. We routinely check for potential conflicts of interest on receipt of every set of instructions we receive. Clients are therefore kindly requested to inform us of the names of all parties involved in a potential matter.  Where a potential conflict is identified, we will immediately inform the client and agree with them the appropriate action to be taken.

Complaints
We have a comprehensive complaints procedure. If for any reason a client is unhappy with the service they receive from any barrister or Clerk at Ten Old Square, please contact our Senior Clerk, Keith Plowman who will inform you of how you may make a formal complaint to us, to The Bar Standards Board or to the Legal Ombudsman.