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9 King's Bench Walk Client Care Policy

We seek to provide a high quality standard of service to all our clients in compliance with the Bar Standards Board handbook Rules, Guidance and Code of Conduct and our own Practice Management Policies and Guidelines.
Our aim, at all times is to ensure that the needs, concerns and interests of our clients are kept constantly in view and, where necessary, are addressed.

Our client care policy sets out below Chambers procedures and the services which we provide to our clients and we would ask that you keep this policy on record and to contact our Senior Clerk Dave Fardon should you have any questions concerning the services provided by Chambers.

Initial Instructions to Counsel

Clients may initially wish to telephone Chambers clerks to discuss suitable Counsel, Counsel’s availability and the estimated fees for a case, before sending formal instructions to Chambers.
On doing so the clerks will be able to discuss these matters and answer any other questions you may have prior to instructing Counsel in a particular case. Thereafter, on receipt of formal instructions to act, a client care letter acknowledging receipt of those instructions as well as setting out details of any agreed time scales, terms of work and any fees which have either been agreed or estimated will be sent to you.
The instructions will, wherever possible, be given to Counsel on the same day or within 24 hours of receipt.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Any possible conflict of interest will be immediately referred to the Senior Clerk who will telephone the client to discuss whether Counsel may continue to be instructed or whether alternative Counsel must be found. This will usually be within Chambers or occasionally the nature of the conflict may require that the brief be returned to other Chambers. In those circumstances we will do all that we can to assist in finding suitable alternative Counsel.

Chambers are often instructed to act for both sides in a case and have internal procedures for ensuring that, where necessary, separate clerking is arranged and papers are held in secure storage.

Should you have any concern as to a possible conflict, please do not hesitate to contact the Senior Clerk who will discuss with you the possible solutions.

Confidentiality – our systems

9 KBW uses Advance Legal Solutions Hosted software which provides a secure internet system, a cutting edge diary and fees management programme and ensures off site back up and protection of all client data.

We also have secure storage facilities for all sensitive material such as DVD’s photographic material or original copies of documents. Our members know and fully comply with all guidelines requiring the protection of client material both in and out of Chambers. If there is any particular confidentiality issues that you would wish to discuss please do not hesitate to contact the Senior Clerk or any member our Management Committee..

Members who prosecute have all registered for CJSM providing for the secure transmission of all data 

Completion of Time Records

Counsel will keep a record of all work done and the time taken, which can be supplied to the client at any time during or after the proceedings. Supporting information as to the nature of the work done will also be recorded and communicated to the client. This can be used where necessary to support a claim for fees on a costs assessment or determination, or similarly to enable a successful litigant to recover their costs from the opposing party. A record of all work undertaken, for which fees are to be charged, will be entered into Chambers computerised records from which a fee note or payment receipt can be generated at any time throughout the proceedings.

Change of Counsel During Proceedings 

When you initially contact chambers to book counsel we will advise you as to counsel’s availability and advise you of any pre-existing commitments. Should you wish to double book your preferred counsel with a view to reassessing the situation as the hearing date approaches we will keep you fully informed as to likely availability. 
In a small number of cases, where nominated Counsel may be unable to attend Court on a particular date, we will inform you at the earliest opportunity. Thereafter we will take all necessary steps to recommend alternative and acceptable Counsel for your client from within Chambers. In the unlikely event that acceptable cover cannot be provided within chambers we will assist in finding counsel in other Chambers for you.

Basis of Fees

An estimate of costs will be provided in advance of undertaking any work, unless fixed fees are already in place. If it is not possible to estimate the final figure that will be charged for a specific item of work, an indication will be given as to the basis on which the fee will be calculated e.g. an hourly rate or a budget agreed which will not be exceeded without further discussion with the client.

Any estimate may need to be reviewed upon receipt of the papers.

Following receipt of the papers the basis upon which Counsel is engaged will be clearly set out in the initial client care letter. For example, we will stipulate whether the case is being accepted on the basis of a publicly funded certificate, a contractual or on a non-contractual basis, under Licensed Access or Direct Public Access.

Where work is undertaken in the normal way, new clients can find  a copy of the Terms of Work on which barristers offer their services to Solicitors and the Withdrawal of Credit Scheme 1988 under the About Us section, sub heading Terms of Business,. https://www.9kbw.com/about-us/terms-of-business

Where Counsel is instructed under a publicly funded certificate we will require a copy of the certificate or in the case of unassigned Criminal Magistrates work, the Unique File Number as Counsel are obliged to ensure that his/her work is covered by the terms of a certificate.

For clients who wish to instruct Counsel in either privately paid Criminal or Immigration or under the Direct Public Access scheme, a guide to our fee scales can be found under the About Us section, sub heading Fee Scales on our website. These fees are guidelines only and our clerks will be very happy to discuss specific fees with both professional and lay clients 

Equality and Diversity Policy

We at 9 King’s Bench Walk are committed to promoting equality and diversity. We value diversity and encourage equality of opportunity for all people and actively promote good relations. Thus, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, religion or political persuasion. 
We will adhere to the Bar Standards Equality and Diversity Code, compliant with the Bar Code of Conduct We will comply with all legislation dealing with discrimination and the promotion of equality following the codes of practice issued to support this legislation.
We will ensure that all employment policies, procedures and guidelines reflect our commitment to equality. Our policy will apply to every aspect of life within chambers including Chambers as an employer of staff, provider of services to the public, selection of pupils, recruitment of new tenants, probationary tenants and mini-pupils, relationships between members and engagement and treatment of third parties communicating with and visiting chambers.
We will ensure procedures are in place for responding to complaints of discrimination and harassment from clients’ members and staff. Chambers will make reasonable adjustments to employment arrangements or to physical features of the premises to ensure that those who suffer from a disability are not unjustifiably disadvantaged in comparison with persons who are not disabled. We will provide copies of our Equality and Diversity Policy to all members of Chambers, Probationary Tenants, Pupils and members of staff and will supply our policy to any, mini-pupil or client upon request.

Chambers Personnel, Facilities and Contact Details

Chambers seeks to be highly diverse in the areas of law that we cover the experience of our members and the clients that we serve. We are multi-cultural and have the benefit of several members who are fluent in nine different languages.

Our Managing Consultant is Christine Eadie, our Senior Clerk is Dave Fardon, our Practice Manager is Chris Errity and our Junior Clerk is Emilia Dunmore.

More extensive details as to the specialities of our Members and the experience of our clerking team can be found within Chambers website.

Chambers Complaints Procedure

Full details of our Complaints Procedure is set out on the website and details of our Client Care Policy and the availability of the Complaints Procedure will be communicated to each lay client at the first available opportunity.

Contact Details

The clerk’s room in Chambers is open from 8.45am to 6.15pm Monday to Friday.
If your enquiry is urgent outside of normal business hours, a telephone call to Chambers number, 020 7353 9564, will be diverted to either Dave Fardon or Chris Errity or you may contact them on the following mobile telephone numbers Dave Fardon 07775745923 or Chris Errity 07530039352
Should you require Counsel to attend Court during a weekend period, we will provide assistance whenever possible. 
We welcome instructions by e-mail to clerks@9kbw.com or to dave.fardon@9kbw.com or Chris Errity at chris.errity@9kbw.com or emilia.dunmore@9kbw.co.uk and we have scanning facilities.

We have a designated conference room as well as television, video, audio and DVD facilities.
If Solicitors require conferences at their offices or some other suitable venue, Counsel will be happy to attend.

We are also pleased to assist in arranging conferences remotely through Zoom or Teams.com. if you wish to do so, please discuss with a member of our clerking team.

Atticus Blick, has peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Criminal Law on the whole life order sentencing regime
In the wake of cases such as the Sarah Everard murder, our pupil barrister, Atticus Blick, has a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Criminal Law setting out a practitioner friendly overview of the whole life order sentencing regime and its implications for human rights domestic and international law.

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Chambers welcomes three new Tenants to 9 KBW
Chambers are delighted to announce that, following successful completion of pupillage, offers of Tenancy have been made to and accepted by Harry Stallard, Piers Walter and Sam Lubner. Our new members will practice in Criminal, (prosecution and defence) Regulatory and Animal Welfare Law. We are so pleased to welcome each of them to the 9 KBW team.

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Matt Ward Joins 9 KBW
Chambers are delighted to announce that Matt Ward has accepted an offer of Tenancy, following a very successful probationary tenancy at 9 KBW. Matt practices in Criminal (prosecution and defence) and Regulatory Law. A big welcome Matt to the 9 KBW team!

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New Pupils join the 9KW team
Chambers are delighted to welcome 3 new pupils to the 9 KBW team; Neil Sturman, Atticus Blick and Harriet Snookes. We very much look forward to working with them in the coming year.

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Louisa Wheeler joins 9 KBW as Chambers Practice Manager
Chambers are delighted to welcome on board Louisa Wheeler as our Practice Manager. Louisa has a wide range of experience in both fee billing and administration in Chambers and will provide invaluable assistance and support to our Senior Clerk in the day to day clerking of 9 KBW’s diary and fees management.

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