Performance Policies

The Family & Children Arbitration website is managed by Trinity Chambers.

Client care is of paramount importance to Trinity Chambers and we operate in accordance with the following policy undertakings:

Legal Services

• The excellence of legal services is upheld through the mutual support of fellow practitioners in each practice group.
• Practitioners may join practice groups based on specific areas of law once the group has deemed the applicant sufficiently trained and competent.
• If an instruction is allocated to an alternative barrister, the clerks will only put forward a barrister from the same practice group where available.
• Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) cases may be accepted by certain barristers in accordance with the Bar Council’s practice procedures.
• Trinity Chambers’ comprehensive law library, in both paper and electronic form, provides access to legal materials including law reports dating back to 1785.
• Practice groups regularly provide accredited seminars, both open and in-house, to clients.
• Conferences can be arranged at Chambers or at the client’s office.

General Services

• Opening hours are 08:30 to 18:00 Monday to Thursday and until 17:30 on Fridays, excluding Bank Holidays.
• Out-of-hours emergency contact is available on 0191 245 0170.
• Clients may leave messages via individual barrister email addresses or telephone messages transferred securely.
• All barristers and clerks are registered for Data Protection with the Commissioner.

Response Times

• Written instructions and briefs are acknowledged within one working day.
• Written instructions are responded to within 14 days unless otherwise agreed.
• Urgent work is completed to agreed timescales.
• Messages are passed to barristers within one working hour.
• Barristers return calls as soon as possible.
• Clients are informed promptly of delays, conflicts or significant developments.

Clerking

• Only barristers with appropriate seniority and expertise are put forward.
• Clients are informed promptly if availability issues arise.
• All information received by clerks is treated as confidential, with enhanced security available where required.

Equality and Diversity

Trinity Chambers treats Members, employees, pupils, clients and applicants equally and fairly without discrimination on grounds including sex, race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, family status, religion or belief, age or disability.

Chambers takes into account the Equality and Diversity Code for the Bar and does not permit harassment.

Equality and diversity data is collected annually in accordance with the Bar Standards Board Code of Conduct. Participation is voluntary and anonymous.

Further details can be obtained by contacting Chambers’ Director, Tom Prideaux.

The 2018 Equality and Diversity data can be found here. Certain data has been withheld in accordance with Bar Standards Board guidance.

Fees, Billing and Price Transparency

Barristers most often charge hourly rates or fixed fees depending on seniority, complexity and type of work. All fees are subject to VAT.

Indicative Prices

• Hourly rates: £200 + VAT to £500 + VAT
• Fixed fees: Quoted and agreed in advance
• Trials: Brief fee plus refresher fees
• Arbitrations: Fees covering preparation, hearing and determination
• Fee notes rendered within seven days of completion unless otherwise agreed

For quotes, contact info@trinitychambers.co.uk.

For Direct Access matters, contact fiona@trinitychambers.co.uk.

Fees are payable within one month unless otherwise agreed. Barristers operate under the Standard Conditions of Contract.

Timescales

Timescales vary depending on availability, venue, witnesses and complexity. Clients are notified upon receipt of instructions.

Complaints

1. Clients are encouraged to raise complaints as soon as possible.
2. The Legal Ombudsman applies time limits to complaints.
3. The Ombudsman considers complaints from clients only.
4. Non-client complaints may be referred to the Bar Standards Board.

Complaints by Telephone

Complaints may be raised with the Chambers’ Director. If unresolved, they may be submitted in writing.

Complaints in Writing

Written complaints should include:

• Your name and address
• The barrister(s) concerned
• Details of the complaint
• The outcome sought

Complaints should be addressed to Mr Tom Prideaux, Chambers’ Director.

Legal Ombudsman

Legal Ombudsman
PO Box 6806
Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ
Tel: 0300 555 0333
Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

Bar Standards Board

Bar Standards Board

Bar Standards Board
289–293 High Holborn
London WC1V 7JZ
Tel: 0207 6111 444
Website: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

You can also access the Barristers’ Register here.