About Our Legal Services

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Our fixed fees depend upon the complexity of the matter and the seniority of the barristers involved. Where it is possible for work that is not litigation (such as advice or drafting a contract) we will provide a fixed fee.

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For litigation, we will provide you with a Case Plan and Budget. We can use a fixed fee for stages of the litigation such as Pre-action.

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Hourly rates may be used and vary according to who is working on your matter between £225-£350.00 per hour.

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There may well be additional fees incurred in addition to the above quotations as we may seek an estimate or budget figure for fees which is not a fixed fee or quotation, but our best estimate, at the time, of the likely cost of a matter being charged upon a time basis, usually based on comparable cases. Our final costs may be higher or lower than our estimate, and we may charge you for fees in excess of our original estimate if, for instance, there is excess work in addition to the agreed amount.

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These quotations do not include VAT.

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For information regarding our Price Transparency Policy Statement, which contains indicative fees and further information about the provision of our legal services, please click here.

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Typically, the key stages in the provision of our legal services include:

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1. Pre-commencement of proceedings

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• This would include identifying a client’s objectives, how these can be achieved, case analysis, identifying the relevant parties, dealing with legal insurance if needed, assessing the merits of the claim and complying with the necessary pre-action protocol to resolve the matter without resorting to litigation.

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          2. Issuing the claim and exchanging statements of case

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• This is done by issuing a Claim Form, with an accompanying Particulars of Claim. This should clearly set out the claimant’s case and state the nature of the remedy claimed (such as payment of a specific sum, or for damages to be assessed, or for a declaration or other order).

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• The court will then issue the claim and then service of the claim form upon the defendant will need to take place.  Service can be carried out by the court or by the party bringing the claim. Once the defendant is served with the claim, generally, the defendant has 14 days to file an Acknowledgement of Service and a further 14 days to file a Defence (though a limited extension can sometimes be agreed).  

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• Once the Defence has been filed the courts will allocate the claim to the appropriate track. 

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3. Using any necessary interim applications, corresponding with the other side and seeking to narrow or settle the case

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• This would include any applications for Default Judgement, Summary Judgement, Strike Out, Security for Costs and Interim Injunctions.  

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• It would also involve sending any appropriate and necessary emails/letters to the other side's legal representatives to ensure a smooth management of the case and to achieve any possible settlement or Alternative Dispute Resolution where appropriate and authorised. 

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4. Exchange of Evidence 

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• Once the claim has been allocated the court will provide directions to the parties.  In the small and fast track these are usually standard with the fast track directions all taking place in the 30 weeks between issue and trial.  If the claim has been allocated to the multi track then a case management conference will often take place and tailored directions will be provided.
   

• The parties will be required to carry out disclosure, exchange witness statements during this time with timescales for these being set out by the court.

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5. Trial 

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• The court will provide a date for the trial and set it for the length of time which is sees fit for the trial to be heard. The parties will have been requested to provide a list of dates which are unsuitable prior to the courts providing a date for the hearing. During the trial the court will hear legal submissions, witness evidence and expert evidence (if appropriate). The court will often reserve judgment except in straight forward cases and the judgment will be given at a later date in an additional short hearing at court.

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6. Post Trial

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• If you receive judgment in your favour the other party will be ordered to do/pay whatever the court has decided within a set period of time.

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• If you receive judgment against you then you will have the opportunity to appeal this decision. The time frame for appealing provided the right to appeal is granted is usually 14 days from the date of the decision.

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• The court also has the power to award costs which will be set out in the judgment.  

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Fixed advice:​

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• We can provide up-to-date guidance on the CPR if your client requires advocacy for an application or court hearing.​

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• We offer written opinions, meetings and telephone conferences spanning the full range of our offered legal services.

 

 

Timing

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We aim to keep a robust timescale in the provision of our legal services which will naturally depend on the circumstances of the case. We will explain how long your matter will take. For example, a contract may be drafted within 2 weeks of instruction. A straightforward case will tend to have a hearing date typically up to 18-24 months of a claim being made. These timescales may well vary and are influenced by:

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• Availability of our personnel

• Whether the matter is urgent

• The type and complexity of the case

• The other side’s approach to litigation

• Court waiting times

• The need for additional documents

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Professional Indemnity Insurance

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Contract Law Chambers is a regulated BSB entity and has its own professional indemnity insurance cover as such. 

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For information on the level of cover being maintained this year by each barrister, please contact Chambers.

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To view the standard terms and conditions under which Contract Law Chambers accepts instructions, please click here.

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For further information about insurance, please contact the Bar Standards Board on: 020 7611 1444, or email: ContactUs@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk.

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Fact Sheet

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All of this information is also available in a Fact Sheet in writing or audio format upon request by telephoning Chambers on 0330 111 2874 or by email at clerks@contractlawchambers.co.uk.