Our Regulator

The barrister members at 5 St Andrew’s Hill are individual self-employed barristers each of whom are regulated by the Bar Standards Board (“BSB”). You will find the details of the BSB at www.barstandardsboard.org.uk.

The BSB website includes the Code of Conduct which regulates the professional behaviour and standards of all barristers.

Main Features of our Barristers’ Services and Price

All our barristers are governed by the rules set out in the BSB Handbook.

It is a breach of the Code of Conduct for a barrister to refuse to accept instructions to be undertaken in accordance with our published standard terms of business

Public funding

Where services are provided under a public funding certificate or other statutory arrangement then the standard contractual terms 2012 will not apply.

Private Fees

All work undertaken by any member or pupil at 5 St Andrew’s Hill, other than that done where a publicly funded certificate is in place, will be governed by our policies and the Bar Standards Board's Standard Contractual Terms. 

Public/Direct Access

If you are not a solicitor or other “authorised” person (i.e. one regulated by the SRA), then Chambers’ default position is that the barrister will provide services to you either under our standard Public Access agreement (.doc).

Licensed Access

The barristers at 5 St Andrew’s Hill  accept instructions from licensed access clients in circumstances authorised in relation to that client by the Licensed Access Recognition Regulations whether that client is acting for himself or another.

General

In each case it will be the individual barrister through his or her clerk who agrees the relevant detailed terms of business with you. Terms will have to be agreed electronically before the barrister starts work. No formal agreement will be required where public funding is in place.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

All barristers in Chambers have professional indemnity insurance to a minimum level of £500,000, although many barristers have additional indemnity insurance in excess of the minimum. Insurance cover is provided by Bar Mutual which can be contacted via www.barmutual.co.uk.

Complaints

We hope that you will never feel the need to make a complaint. If you do then you can access our complaints process via our Complaints Procedure page.

Anti-Discrimination & Diversity Policy

5 St Andrew’s Hill is committed to providing equal opportunities and promoting diversity. This is evidenced by the diverse ethnic and social backgrounds of members, staff and clients (lay and professional). All job applicants, employees, members, other barristers and clients (lay and professional) receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age.

It is unlawful to discriminate against individuals either directly or indirectly in respect of their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or marital status. Relevant legislation is incorporated into this policy by reference.

All members of Chambers, pupils and staff, in their professional dealings with any other parties:

  • Must not at any time discriminate against any person, directly or indirectly, nor victimise or harass them on grounds of their sex (including their marital status), race or racial group, ethnic or national origins, colour, nationality political, persuasion, religion or belief sexual orientation age, and
  • Must not at any time discriminate against any person on grounds of disability, except where, in relation to legislation, there is specific exception or limitation preventing such discrimination from being unlawful.

Chambers is committed to implementing the relevant legislation within the Bar Standards Board handbook Equality rules.