In the first instance you should follow our complaints procedure, which is shown below. Please note that all complaints are dealt with free of charge.

Client complaints received should be in written format or communicated orally if a reasonable adjustment is needed. An acknowledgment in writing or in formats tailored to specific client information needs, will be sent to the client within 7 days stating:

• the name of the person and contact details who will deal with the complaint together with a description of that person’s role in Chambers
• a copy of the Chambers Complaints Procedure
• the date by which the complainant will next hear from Chambers.
• all complaints will be dealt with confidentially the complainant will also be advised of the alternative option of complaint to go directly to either:

 

1) The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) within six months of the written response. (The Legal Ombudsman requires that the complaint be first addressed in house). Please note that the Legal Ombudsman has a twelve-month time limit from the date of the act or omission about which you are complaining. More information can be found at www.legalombudsman.org.uk

The full list of who has a right to complain to the LeO is available on their Home | Legal Ombudsman

You can complain to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) if you are unhappy with the final response to your complaint, or if your complaint has not been dealt with in eight weeks.

Clients who have a right to complain to the LeO are individuals and, broadly speaking, small businesses and charities.

You can also search the decision data on the LeO’s website Ombudsman decision data | Legal Ombudsman

This shows providers which received an ombudsman’s decision in the previous calendar year, and whether the LeO required the provider to give the consumer a remedy. Alternatively, you can contact the LeO on 0300 555 0333 to ask about this (or email [email protected] http://onepumpcourt.co.uk/complaints/)

2) The Bar Standards Board within 6 months of the initial complaint (The Bar Standards Board deal with complaints regarding the conduct of a barrister only) More information can be found at Reporting concerns about barristers (barstandardsboard.org.uk) Barristers in chambers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board. You can search the Barristers’ Register on the Bar Standards Board’s website. This shows (1) whether a barrister has a current practising certificate, and (2) whether a barrister has any disciplinary findings, which are published on the Bar Standards Board’s website in accordance with their policy. Alternatively, you can contact the Bar Standards Board on 020 7611 1444 to ask about this (or e-mail [email protected]).

Other significant feedback will be assessed by the Senior Clerk in liaison with other personnel, if necessary, to assess the best method of response. The client concerned may be contacted and invited to formalise their concerns in writing or to resolve the issue by telephone immediately.

With less serious complaints, the issue may be resolved by the Senior Clerk in isolation or in liaison with relevant personnel within a short space of time. Where possible, this will be in the same letter sent to acknowledge the complaint.

Where the complaint is less easily resolved, for instance complaints in respect of legal competence or professional conduct, and requires deeper investigation and discussion, possibly at Executive Committee level, the client’s acknowledgement letter will advise this.

A written response will be sent as soon as possible but in any case, within a month of receipt of the client’s complaint. The response may be:

• to inform the client that the complaint has been investigated and found not to be justified, explaining why,
• to inform the client that the complaint has been investigated and found to be justified, and either:
• explaining the remedial action proposed, any form of compensation and where appropriate preventive measures to be implemented to prevent recurrence;
• or that the matter has been referred to the Chambers Secretary for resolution and also explaining to the client his/her right to bring the matter to the attention of the Bar Council’s Complaints Commissioner;
• if appropriate, information on the LAA or CPS complaint procedures may also be provided.

 

The Senior Clerk / Chambers Secretary will monitor the complaint to ensure that it is resolved as speedily as possible. They shall also ensure that a Complaint Form is completed to show:

• name and address of the complainant firm and/or individual
• the nature of the complaint and barrister(s) / member(s) of staff responsible
• the remedial / corrective action taken
• compensatory measures afforded the client
• the root cause identified
• longer-term preventive measures to be taken
  
  

The Senior Clerk maintains a confidential central file of all complaints dealt with, which will only be disclosed in so far as is necessary for:

1. the investigation and resolution of the complaint;
2. internal review in order to improve chambers’ or the BSB entity’s (as appropriate) handling of complaints;
3. complying with requests from the Bar Standards Board in the exercise of its monitoring and/or auditing functions

All documents are kept for 6 years.

The Senior Clerk will conduct an annual review of these to detect any emerging or recurrent trends. Information from this review is reported to the Annual Management Review meeting for discussion and action as necessary.

At One Pump Court Chambers we encourage all clients to feedback, be it negative or positive. If you would like to discuss any matter arising from our services please feel free to contact our Senior Clerk, Ian Burrow on 020 7842 7070.