Terms of Business
Service Quality
Civitas Law aims to provide the highest levels of service to its lay and professional clients by:
- Offering a service which is consistent, professional and competitive in our core areas of law, provided by barristers who are dedicated, knowledgeable and approachable;
- Turning paperwork around within 21 days of receipt or such shorter period as has been agreed in advance by instructing solicitors;
- Continually seeking to develop and improve our service in response to any client feedback received and dealing with any client concerns effectively and efficiently;
- Providing a helpful, courteous and efficient administration team and to invest in their training and development;
- Implementing and maintaining an effective training programme for pupils, continuing professional development for barristers and the provision of training and seminars to clients;
- Using state of the art information technology and on-line services to maximise client care and efficiency;
- Ensuring our premises and facilities are safe, accessible and comfortable for all personnel and visitors;
- Operating a policy of equal opportunities for all.
Fees and Terms of Payment
Barristers at Civitas Law undertake work funded by various means, including privately and publicly funded, trade union or insurance backed and via Conditional Fee Agreement. We generally consider fees on a case-by-case basis, but it is possible to enter into set fee structures for particular types of volume work. We aim to provide a premium legal service to our clients to meet every type of budget.
We will render a fee note for all our work in accordance with the Bar Council’s Code of Conduct.
Normally, fees for paperwork and conferences are not agreed in advance, but estimates can be provided based upon an individual’s hourly rate and the time likely to be involved. When completing a fee note, we take into account the seniority of the barrister who carried out the work, the degree to which specialist knowledge was required, the complexity and urgency of the matter and the total time taken to complete the work, including, for conferences, any travelling involved.
Fees for Court Hearings in privately paid cases are agreed in advance of the hearing and take into account the length of the hearing, the preparation time likely to be involved, the seniority of the barrister concerned, the degree of travelling involved, and the nature and complexity of the work. Fees for any Hearing for which Counsel has been booked shall be agreed either at the time of booking Counsel or no later than 24 hours thereafter unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so. In the absence of agreement for whatever reason, Counsel shall be entitled to calculate his or her brief fee according to the formula: Counsel’s usual daily rate x (the number of days for which Counsel has been booked + 1) and his or her refresher at Counsel’s usual daily rate. So, for example, if Counsel’s usual daily rate is £1,500, a 3 day case would be charged at £6,000 on the brief and £1,500 a day refresher.
On privately funded cases we require our fees to be settled within three months of invoice. If this is not acceptable to you, you need to agree alternative terms with us in writing in advance. We adhere strictly to the Bar Council’s Code of Practice in respect of the issue of payment reminders, fees processing and credit control, including use of the Withdrawal of Credit Scheme should the necessity arise. Any solicitor named on that scheme will be unable to instruct a barrister unless payment is received in advance or the work is publicly funded.
Interest on Unpaid Fees
In the event that a barrister’s fees are not paid in full within the time stipulated above, the fees outstanding from time to time will carry simple interest at 2% above Bank of England Base Rate rate from time to time from the latest date by which each fee should have been paid.
We also undertake work under Conditional Fee Agreements and collective Conditional Fee Agreements. A copy of the standard Civitas Law Conditional Fee Agreement for Personal Injuries and Clinical Negligence cases can be found on our website here. Payment of fees becomes due for any case conduced under a conditional fee agreement within three months of the conclusion of the case. In the event that a barrister’s fees are not paid in full within the time stipulated above, the fees outstanding from time to time will carry simple interest at at 2% above Bank of England Base Rate rate from time to time from the latest date by which each fee should have been paid.
Delivery of Briefs for Trial and Cancellation Fees – Civil Litigation
Solicitors agree to deliver the brief for trial not in any event less than 7 days before the trial and otherwise in accordance with Counsel’s specific advice if any in the case or otherwise as agreed with Counsel; further in any case where Counsel has been retained for the trial hearing (in circumstances where the Solicitor considers that Counsel has an obligation to appear at the hearing and Counsel’s diary has been marked to reflect that obligation) cancellation fees for Counsel shall be due as follows, whether the brief has been delivered or not:
We also undertake work under Conditional Fee Agreements and collective Conditional Fee Agreements. A copy of the standard Civitas Law Conditional Fee Agreement for Personal Injuries and Clinical Negligence cases can be found on our website here. Payment of fees becomes due for any case conduced under a conditional fee agreement within three months of the conclusion of the case. In the event that a barrister’s fees are not paid in full within the time stipulated above, the fees outstanding from time to time will carry simple interest at at 2% above Bank of England Base Rate rate from time to time from the latest date by which each fee should have been paid.
Delivery of Briefs for Trial and Cancellation Fees – Civil Litigation
Solicitors agree to deliver the brief for trial not in any event less than 7 days before the trial and otherwise in accordance with Counsel’s specific advice if any in the case or otherwise as agreed with Counsel; further in any case where Counsel has been retained for the trial hearing (in circumstances where the Solicitor considers that Counsel has an obligation to appear at the hearing and Counsel’s diary has been marked to reflect that obligation) cancellation fees for Counsel shall be due as follows, whether the brief has been delivered or not:
(a) in the case of a fast track case (or one not allocated to track) the as to 50% of full brief fee if Counsel’s booking is cancelled in the period 14-8 days (inclusive) prior to the trial date, and 100% if Counsel’s booking is cancelled in the period 7-1 days inclusive prior to the trial date;
(b) in the case of a multi track case (or appeal) as to 25% of full brief fee if Counsel’s booking is cancelled in the period 21-15days (inclusive) prior to the trial date, as to 50% if Counsel’s booking is cancelled in the period 14-8 days (inclusive) prior to the trial date, and as to 100% if Counsel’s booking is cancelled in the period 7-1 days (inclusive) prior to the trial date.
The above fees will become payable irrespective of the reason for cancellation.
Delivery of Briefs for Hearings and Cancellation Fees – All Other Cases
Solicitors agree to deliver the brief for Hearing not less than 7 days before the Hearing or earlier if agreed with Counsel.
Delivery of Briefs for Hearings and Cancellation Fees – All Other Cases
Solicitors agree to deliver the brief for Hearing not less than 7 days before the Hearing or earlier if agreed with Counsel.
In any case where Counsel has been retained for a Hearing cancellation fees for Counsel shall be due as follows, whether the brief has been delivered or not:
(a) 25% of the full brief fee if Counsel’s booking is cancelled in the period 21-15days (inclusive) prior to the Hearing date,
(b) 50% of the full brief fee if Counsel’s booking is cancelled in the period 14-8 days (inclusive) prior to the Hearing date
(c) 100% of the full brief fee if Counsel’s booking is cancelled in the period 7-1 days (inclusive) prior to the Hearing date.
The above fees will become payable irrespective of the reason for cancellation.
Cancellation Fees for Interim Hearings and Conferences or Consultations in any Type of Case
If a conference or interim hearing is cancelled for any reason prior to the scheduled time of the conference or interim hearing, then wasted preparation fees shall be payable which fees shall include a fee in respect of the time which would have been spent in conference.
If a conference or interim hearing is cancelled for any reason prior to the scheduled time of the conference or interim hearing, then wasted preparation fees shall be payable which fees shall include a fee in respect of the time which would have been spent in conference.
If you have any queries, please contact us.
Telephone: 0845 0713 007
