Fees

Publicly Funded Work

All publicly funded fees are calculated at the rates prescribed by the relevant governing bodies.

If you think you may be eligible for Legal Aid then you may wish to visit the website of the Ministry of Justice which offers a Legal Aid Eligibility Calculator. This can be accessed by clicking here.

Privately Funded Work

Where cases are privately funded, we will always agree a fee with you before a barrister begins work on your case. No additional fees will be charged without prior agreement. Fees are normally calculated in one of three ways:

  1. A fixed fee for a certain piece of work. For example, we will agree a fixed fee for a barrister to advise you on the merits of your case, regardless of how long it takes. We will agree in advance what the fee will be and what work it will cover. The fee we quote will be calculated on the basis of several factors, such as: the amount and nature of the work involved, its complexity, the timeframe within which the work is needed, and the experience of the barrister.
  2. An hourly fee. Here we will agree a fixed fee for each hour the barrister actually works on a case. The hourly fee will be calculated depending on factors including the experience of the barrister, the complexity of the work, and its urgency.
  3. A conditional fee agreement. This may be a “no win, low fee” agreement or a “no win, no fee” agreement. Under such an arrangement, the final fee payable depends on whether or not you win your case. Whether this fee structure is appropriate will depend on the nature of the work involved, whether legal costs are recoverable from the losing party to litigation, and the likelihood that the case will succeed.

Please note that all fees exclude VAT. Some of our barristers are not VAT registered and therefore do not charge VAT. This is specified on the individual barrister’s profile. To discuss any aspect of fees, including any specific rates, then please contact the clerks on 0207 842 7070 or clerks@onepumpcourt.co.uk. They will be happy to assist.

Chambers accepts bank transfers, cheques and has the facility to accept payment for fees quickly and securely for payment cards.

Court Hearings

As with all work, fees for attendance at court hearings can be agreed on one of the three bases set out above, and fees will be agreed before the barrister starts work on your case. When calculating fees for court work, we will take into account the following factors:

  • Estimated time required for preparation. This will typically depend on the complexity and number of issues involved in your case, the volume of evidence which needs to be considered, and any specific requirements you have, such as assistance preparing evidence;
  • Estimated time to be spent in Court. This will typically depend on the listing which has been given to you by the court, the nature and complexity of the issues, whether live evidence is to be given, the number of witnesses being called, and which court or tribunal your case is being heard at;
  • Estimated time and cost of travel to court;
  • Case complexity
  • Issues at stake
  • Seniority of the barrister
  • Whether an abnormal workload was placed on the barrister through late instruction / urgency of the work etc.

Fees payable when a hearing is cancelled etc.

Provided you have instructed a barrister 5 days before a hearing, the following will apply if that hearing is cancelled at short notice:

  • If you tell us before 12 noon on the working day before a scheduled hearing that it has been discontinued, vacated or adjourned, 50% of the agreed brief fee will be payable to the barrister.
  • If you tell us after 12 noon on the working day before a scheduled hearing that it has been discontinued, vacated or adjourned, 100% of the agreed brief fee will be payable to the barrister.
  • If, in either of the above circumstances, Counsel is able to undertake an alternative hearing for an equal or higher fee, then no fee will be payable by you. If they are able to undertake a hearing at a lower fee, this will be deducted from the amount which would otherwise be payable by you.

To discuss any aspect of fees, including any specific rates, then please contact the clerks on 0207 842 7070 or clerks@onepumpcourt.co.uk. They will be happy to assist.

For more information click here.