As you may be aware the Bar Council is implementing some changes in connection with barrister’ fees. Whilst we don’t anticipate that the changes will have any impact on our working relationship with your firm the changes have required us to make changes in the terms upon which we accept instructions.
Littleton’s barristers have historically provided their services to solicitors under the “Terms of Work on which Barristers Offer their Services to Solicitors and the Withdrawal of Credit Scheme 1988”. With effect from 31 January 2013 the Bar Council is withdrawing these Terms and abolishing the Withdrawal of Credit Scheme by which the payment of barristers’ fees was enforced. The Bar’s Code of Conduct is being amended to reflect these changes.
We appreciate that our relationship with our clients has meant that the Scheme was not something we needed to have reference to. However, in order to put in place arrangement across all of our client base we will , from 31 January 2013, be offering barristers’ services on our new standard conditions of contract. These will reflect in large part, the terms and conditions which the Bar Council has proposed for Barristers following the abolition of the Scheme.
If you have any concerns or queries, about the new arrangements please do not hesitate to contact one of the clerks.
