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Contractual terms
The basis on which instructions are accepted from solicitors and from members of the public under the Public Access scheme.
PDF — the standard contractual terms on which instructions are accepted.
Instructions from solicitors
Since January 2013, barristers accepting instructions from solicitors have done so on contractual terms rather than the older non-contractual Terms of Work. Instructions to Thames Chambers are accepted on the Bar Council's Standard Contractual Terms for the Supply of Legal Services by Barristers to Authorised Persons, unless different terms are expressly agreed in writing before the work starts.
The Cab Rank Rule applies to instructions offered on those terms. Where a solicitor proposes their own terms, those terms must be agreed in writing before any work is undertaken.
Direct access instructions
Members of the public instructing directly receive a client care letter before any work begins. That letter sets out the scope of the work, the fee for each stage, what is excluded, the expected timetable, and how and when payment is due.
Work is not commenced until the client care letter has been agreed. Fees on direct access matters are payable in advance of the stage to which they relate.
Copies of the terms
The current contractual terms can be downloaded from this page using the Download Our Terms button above. A draft client care letter for a direct access matter is provided on request — please e-mail info@thameschambers.com and it will be sent by return.