Instruct a No.8 Barrister
All Members of No.8 Chambers are self-employed and independent barristers who have been called to the Bar of England and Wales. They provide expertise in a wide range of practice areas (click here to see areas of expertise).The legal services provided are most commonly advocacy and advisory services and members are instructed nationally by a wide range of solicitors (both in-house and in private practice), international lawyers, lay clients (Direct/Public Access), and other entities.
How to Instruct Us
Professional and lay clients may contact Chambers to obtain a quotation for legal services.
The clerks are the first point of contact for all clients and have an extensive knowledge of each barrister’s areas of practice and availability. Please click here to contact them. They will be able to assist you by recommending the barrister or team most suited to deal with any given case; and suggest the best way for you to access our services.
Fee Transparency
Barristers in Chambers act in privately funded and legally aided cases, as well as insurance backed work.
The most commonly used pricing models for privately funded legal services are charges by an hourly rate, a fixed fee or an agreed brief fee and refreshers.
The setting of hourly rates is not necessarily straightforward and a number of factors may determine the rate that is set, for example the seniority of barrister, the type of client, and the type, complexity and financial value of the case.
Fees for hearings are usually calculated on the basis of a brief fee and refresher. A brief fee is a fixed fee which usually covers preparation for the hearing and the first day of the hearing. A refresher is a fixed fee for each subsequent day of the hearing. These fee estimates will take into account a number of factors including (but not limited to) the required preparation, the complexity of the issues, the seniority and expertise of the barrister and any reservation of diary time. It is important to discuss and agree with the clerks exactly what will be included within the agreed fee. All fees will be subject to VAT at the prevailing rate (where applicable).
Some of our barristers also accept instructions under conditional fee agreements (“no win, no fee” agreements) in certain circumstances.
We always aim to set out quotes clearly, but if there is something you do not understand please contact us. For more information on fees and how they are determined, please click here to view our fees and policies or contact the clerks by clicking here. We aim to provide quotes as quickly as possible and save for exceptional cases, within 14 days. We recognise that a prompt quote is essential if clients are going to be able to make an informed choice in terms of who they wish to instruct. In order to provide a prompt quote, our clerking team will need to be provided with sufficient information such that they can quote a meaningful range for the legal services that you require. You will not be charged for providing a quotation. When quoted a range, it may be necessary for a barrister to read further papers to quote a more precise figure and then advise whether we would be able to provide the legal services in question. While quotations are binding, if the scope of the legal services changes then the quotation will not be binding. Providing a quotation does not amount to the acceptance of instructions.
Legal Aid
You may be eligible for legal aid. Follow these easy to use links below for further information:
Criminal legal aid means testing
Terms of Engagement
Unless otherwise agreed in advance, in writing, between the barrister and professional client, members of No.8 Chambers accept instructions under the Bar Council’s Standard Contractual Terms and Conditions 2012 (updated for the GDPR in 2018). A copy of these terms can be viewed /downloaded by clicking here.
Timescales
Timescales may vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the matter; the availability of the client, the barrister and any relevant third parties; the volume of documents to review; the need for additional information or documents; Court waiting times and the urgency of the matter. Our barristers aim to turn straightforward work around within 21 working days. Should any of our barristers be unable to meet that timetable, the client will be notified in good time in advance and, if necessary and agreed, the work may be allocated to another available and suitably experienced barrister so as to ensure that the client’s deadline is met.
Public/Direct Access
If you are a member of the public, the "Bar Standards Board’s Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients is found here. This will help you to understand how the Direct/Public Access scheme works, and explains how you can use it to instruct a barrister directly.
For further information on how to instruct barristers under direct access please click here.
Client Confidentiality and Conflicts
We are often instructed by multiple parties to one action. To ensure that the confidentiality requirements of the Bar Code of Conduct are met ( BSB link), and that client confidentiality is maintained by barristers and staff, designated clerks are assigned to each party and those instructing are informed accordingly.
For further information, please contact our clerks.