If you are a solicitor and would like to instruct us, please contact one of our practice managers to discuss your particular requirements or email clerks@tanfieldchambers.co.uk. If you are not a solicitor and wish to instruct one of our members, please go to either the Licensed access page or Public access page.
We aim to ensure that instructing members of Tanfield is simple and straightforward. Our practice managers will help you find the most suitable barrister for your case and agree fees. They will also discuss the timescale required. If you instruct a member, then they should supply services by the date agreed or, where no specific date is agreed, within 14-21 days.
We recognise the importance of client confidentiality and our members and practice managers know they have a duty to keep the affairs of every client confidential.
Fees
We are committed to providing fees appropriate to the requirements of each case and client. Tanfield is committed to complete transparency in relation to fees, which are usually on a fixed fee basis but, in certain circumstances, may be on an hourly rate basis or a conditional fee agreement.
Fee arrangements for barristers vary depending on the area of practice, the seniority of the barrister and the complexity, value or length of your case.
We will provide you with a quotation as soon as possible and always aim to clearly set out the information. However, please contact the practice managers if you need any guidance or help to understand your quotation.
Contractual terms
When instructed by a solicitor, our standard terms are under the Standard Conditions of Contract for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons 2012, which can be found on the Bar Council’s website.
We will consider alternative terms of engagement but are not obliged to accept instructions on such terms. It should be noted that we will not necessarily apply any alternative agreed terms to each new instruction received in the same matter.
Client service
Delivering a quality service for our clients is very important to us so we welcome you raising any concerns or questions with our practice managers. You are also welcome to discuss those concerns with our CEO, Walter Womersley.
In the unfortunate event that we cannot resolve any concerns, then you can make a formal complaint. Our complaint procedure is set out here.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of following our complaint procedure, you have the right to make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman. This is the independent complaints body for complaints against lawyers. You must make your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman within one year of the problem happening or one year from when you found out about it, and within six months of receiving a response from our Quality Assurance & Complaints Committee. You can contact the Legal Ombudsman at PO Box 6167, Slough, SL1 0EH, email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk or telephone 0300 555 0333. If your complaint amounts to a breach of the Professional Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales, the Legal Ombudsman will pass your complaint directly to the Bar Standards Board which is responsible for regulating barristers. For further details see: www.legalombudsman.org.uk. You can also find details of the Legal Ombudsman’s decision data here.
The Barristers’ Register
Members of Tanfield are self-employed, independent practitioners sharing premises and administration. All our members are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
You can find details of all our members on the Barristers’ Register, a link to which may be found here. The Register provides details of all barristers who are authorised to practise in England and Wales and who hold a current practising certificate. The Register displays the dates for which a barrister’s practising certificate is valid. It includes information about barristers’ practising status, the reserved legal activities they are authorised to undertake and whether they have been the subject of any disciplinary findings.
