Service Standards

Standards for Civil Work

Deans Court Chambers aims to provide the highest standards of advocacy, advice and service. Members of Chambers and Staff are committed to providing an approachable, efficient and professional service to our clients. Our clients’ needs are paramount.

Instructing Counsel

Paperwork

We will acknowledge receipt of your instructions in writing and, wherever possible, those instructions will be placed before Counsel on the day of delivery.
Unless another deadline is agreed with you, and except in unavoidable circumstances, the following should apply.

• Defences will be completed within 5 working days of receipt within Chambers.
• Other Statements of Case will be completed within 10 working days of receipt within Chambers
• Other papers will be completed within 20 working days of receipt within Chambers.

If we realise that it will not be possible to return an item of work within the timescales above, we will notify you as soon as possible.
If a matter is required to be dealt with urgently, it would assist if this could be clearly marked on the backsheet of instructions with the date by which the work is required highlighted.

Court Appearances

When you contact Chambers to book Counsel, either by telephone or by letter, we will inform you if Counsel of your choice has an existing commitment and may not be available. Deans Court Chambers offers strength in depth and will, therefore, be able to offer you Counsel of similar expertise and experience as an alternative. If we cannot provide acceptable cover we will, should you wish us to do so, assist in finding alternative Counsel.

Fees

Our fees are based upon the following:

• The seriousness of the case.
• The complexity of the case.
• The value and importance of the case.
• The seniority of Counsel.
• The work involved in the case.
• The degree to which specialist knowledge is required.
• The length of the case and commitment involved.
• Travelling / expenses incurred.

The clerks will be pleased to provide an estimate of fees at all levels on request. These will be confirmed on receipt of the instruction / brief once Counsel has had the opportunity to assess the case and discuss the work involved with the clerks.

Quality of Service

In order to provide our clients with a high quality and excellent service, Deans Court Chambers has adopted Practice Management Standards. These standards are available on request or you can view them on this web site.
We believe that our clients' interests should be promoted by the whole of the legal team and we endeavour to conduct all work on the basis of co-operation and trust. In order for us to become an effective member of the team and provide the best possible service, we need help from those instructing us.
We would ask that the following be observed wherever possible.

Delivery of Instructions / Briefs

It is vital to the smooth and effective handling of a case that we have sufficient time to prepare. We are sure you will agree that complex cases involving large quantities of documentation require considerable preparation, whether for Trial, Conference or paperwork. It is, therefore, important that Instructions are sent giving ample time for preparation.
Many cases now require Skeleton Arguments to be lodged in advance of the hearing. As a guide, and in order for us to fulfil our commitment to both you, the client and the Court, we suggest that the following guidelines be used.

Timetable for delivery of Civil Briefs

	ELH <1 day	ELH 1-3 days	ELH 3-10 days	ELH 10-28 days	ELH >28 days
QC	10 days	10 days	10 days	28 days	8 weeks
Junior £150k+	3 days	5 days	10 days	21 days	6 weeks
Junior Multi Track	3 days	3 days	10 days	15 days	4 weeks
Junior Fast Track	48 hours

All High Court Briefs should be delivered at least 7 working days in advance to allow Counsel sufficient time to prepare the Skeleton Argument
We would also ask that you:

• Notify us of a hearing date as soon as possible, in order to ensure Counsel of your choice is available.
• Notify us, as early as possible, if a hearing is unlikely to be effective.

Prompt Payment

When Instructions / Briefs are returned, an up-to-date fee note should be attached to the papers, with a note of the work completed by Counsel.
Payment of Counsel's fees is required in accordance with the Bar Council's Code of Conduct, save where there is prior agreement to the contrary. We would ask, therefore, that, in order to provide an efficient and economical service, prompt payment is made of outstanding fee notes.

Conflicts of Interest

Any conflicts of interest will be identified as soon as possible and brought to your attention.

Feedback

Deans Court Chambers welcomes feedback from our clients. We believe sustained quality and excellence is only achieved by continuous improvement, we will, therefore, strive to improve the service we provide to our clients. Client satisfaction surveys are conducted at regular intervals and we would welcome your participation in them.

Complaints

If you have cause to make a complaint, it should be addressed to the Senior Clerk, who will investigate the matter in conjunction with the Head of Chambers and respond within 14 days.

Equality Code

Deans Court Chambers is an equal opportunities set.

Data Protection

All members of Chambers are registered under the Data Protection Act.