Public Access
Pricing Models
Temple Court Chambers is committed to providing clear information about the likely cost of instructing a barrister directly.
Where a member of Chambers accepts instructions under the Public Access Scheme, the basis upon which fees will be charged will be explained before the relevant work is undertaken.
Depending upon the nature of the case and work required, fees will normally be calculated using one or more of the following models.
1. Fixed Fees
A fixed fee may be agreed for a clearly identifiable piece of work.
Examples include:
- an initial conference
- written advice
- consideration of documents and advice upon prospects
- drafting a letter
- drafting a statement of case
- drafting a witness statement
- drafting grounds of appeal
- drafting a skeleton argument
- preparation for a particular hearing
- representation at a hearing
The advantage of a fixed fee is that the client knows in advance the barrister's fee for the agreed work.
The fixed fee will cover the work specifically identified in the client care letter or other written agreement. Work falling outside the agreed scope may result in an additional fee, which will normally be agreed with the client before that additional work is undertaken.
2. Hourly Rates
Where the amount of work cannot readily be predicted, Chambers may quote an hourly rate.
£150–£350 per hour plus VAT where applicable.
The applicable rate will depend upon matters including:
- the seniority and experience of the barrister
- the nature and complexity of the case
- the degree of specialist knowledge required
- the urgency of the work
- the volume of documentation
The client will be informed of the applicable hourly rate before work commences.
Where possible, an estimate will also be provided of the number of hours likely to be required.
3. Brief Fee and Refresher Fees
For hearings lasting more than one day, fees may be agreed by way of:
- Brief fee
- covering preparation for the hearing and representation on the first day
- Refresher fee
- a separate fee for each subsequent day of the hearing
The amount will depend upon the complexity of the case, preparation required, seniority of the barrister and anticipated length of the hearing.
4. Staged Fees
For cases involving several stages, fees may be agreed separately for each stage.
For example:
- Stage 1: Initial conference and advice
- Stage 2: Drafting documents
- Stage 3: Preparation for hearing
- Stage 4: Representation at hearing
This enables clients to instruct a barrister for particular stages without necessarily committing to the cost of representation throughout the entire case.
Payment of Fees
The basis and amount of the barrister's fee will be agreed before the relevant work is undertaken.
Public Access barristers cannot hold client money on account in the manner that a solicitor may do.
VAT
The indicative fees published by Temple Court Chambers exclude VAT.
Where the barrister instructed is registered for VAT, VAT will be added at the applicable rate.
Where the barrister is not VAT registered, VAT will not be charged.
Individual Quotations
Every case is different. Published fees are therefore indicative rather than quotations.
Once sufficient information has been provided, Chambers will provide a quotation where a barrister is available and willing to undertake the work.
[clerks@templecourt.co.uk](mailto:clerks@templecourt.co.uk)
Contact our clerks
If you would like to instruct any of our barristers, please contact our clerks in the first instance.
- Address
- 7 Bell Yard
- London
- WC2A 2JR
- Telephone
- +44 (0) 203 475 9952
- Regulator
- Bar Standards Board