Maitland is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality of service. We welcome feedback on the quality of our legal services and our administration in order to monitor our quality standards and make improvements where necessary.

Our offices at 7 Stone Buildings include facilities for client conferences, video conferencing, a mediation suite, training rooms, web access and access for disabled clients. We will consider all requests for reasonable adjustments to be made to our facilities in order to assist any disabled person wishing to use our services.

Basis of instruction

1. Fees

At the outset of accepting any instructions we will agree with the client the basis on which fees will be charged. Our policy is to promote transparency at all times with regard to fee structures and on request we can construct estimates of the overall fees likely to be involved. Fees will typically be structured on the following bases:

· Hourly rate – the hourly rate applicable will be agreed taking into account the nature of the case and its complexity, and the experience of the barrister instructed.

· Brief and Refresher Fees – The brief and refresher fees apply where court work is required and will be agreed taking into account the nature of the case and its complexity, and the experience of the barrister instructed, as well as other parameters such as an estimate of the preparation time required and the number of days in court.

2. Standard Terms of Business

Unless otherwise agreed, our standard terms of business are to request payment of counsel’s fees by the instructing client within 30 days of receipt of a fee note irrespective of whether they have been put in funds by their own client, in accordance with the Bar Council’s “The Terms of Work on which Barristers Offer their Services to Solicitors and the Withdrawal of Credit Scheme”. Click on this title to view a copy of these terms on the Bar Council’s website. If a client anticipates that this will present a problem, he/she should discuss the details with the clerks at the earliest opportunity.

3. Timescales

We will aim to reach agreement with the client as soon as practicable after receipt of written instructions the timescale within which the barrister will undertake the relevant work, having regard to the amount of work required and complexity of the case.

Where due to unforeseen circumstances there is likely to be a delay in meeting any such agreed timetable, the barrister or barrister’s clerk will keep the client fully informed of progress.

4. Conflicts of Interest

Maitland routinely checks for potential conflicts of interest on receipt of every instruction received into Chambers. Clients are therefore kindly requested to inform us of the names of all parties involved in a potential matter.  Where a potential conflict is identified, we will immediately inform the client and agree with them the appropriate action to be taken.

5. Complaints

If for any reason a client is unhappy with the service they receive, please contact our Chambers Director, Stewart Thompson who will inform you of how you may make a formal complaint according to our complaints procedure, or with our regulator, The Bar Standards Board.

If you would like to view a copy of our Complaints Procedure, please click on the .pdf download below. 

 How to make a complaint