These Terms & Conditions apply to all instructions accepted by Astons Law Chambers and its barristers. They form the basis of the contract between you ("the Client") and the individual barrister instructed ("the Barrister"). You should read these terms carefully in conjunction with your client care letter, which will set out the specific terms for your individual matter. These terms are compliant with the Bar Standards Board (BSB) Handbook, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, and all applicable UK law.
Scope of Services
The services provided will be detailed in your client care letter. Typically, for criminal defence matters, services include:
- Providing legal advice on your case.
- Representing you at court hearings.
- Drafting legal documents and arguments.
- Advising on evidence, plea, and strategy.
- Conducting conferences with you and your solicitor.
Services that are not included, unless specifically agreed in writing and where the Barrister is authorised to provide them, are:
- Conducting litigation (which includes issuing proceedings, filing documents at court, and managing correspondence with the court and other parties).
- Paying court fees or other disbursements on your behalf.
- Providing chambers' address as the formal address for service of documents.
Fees and Payment
Our fees will be based on either an hourly rate or an agreed fixed fee for a defined scope of work. All fee arrangements will be confirmed in writing before any work is undertaken.
- Value Added Tax (VAT) at the standard rate (currently 20%) will be added to all our fees.
- Unless otherwise agreed in your client care letter, payment of our invoices is due within 30 days of the invoice date.
- We reserve the right to charge interest on late payments in accordance with statutory provisions.
- For a detailed explanation of our pricing, please see our Pricing & Fees page.
Limitation of Liability
The liability of the Barrister in connection with the services provided is limited.
- The Barrister’s liability for any claim, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, is limited to a maximum sum of £2.5 million for any single claim or series of related claims.
- This limitation of liability may be varied by prior written agreement, which may result in a different fee structure.
- This limitation does not apply to any liability arising from fraud, dishonesty, or any other liability that cannot be lawfully excluded or limited, including breaches of the Core Duties relating to honesty and integrity.
- This limit reflects the level of professional indemnity insurance the Barrister is required to hold.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
All self-employed barristers at Astons Law Chambers maintain professional indemnity insurance.
- This insurance is provided by the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF).
- It provides cover for claims of professional negligence, offering financial protection to clients in the event that something goes wrong.
- The minimum level of cover is set by the Bar Standards Board to ensure adequate protection for consumers.
Consumer Contract Rights
If you are a "consumer" (an individual acting for purposes outside your trade, business, or profession), you have a right to cancel your contract with us under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
- You have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date your contract with us is concluded (which is the date you accept our client care letter).
- To cancel, you must notify us in writing (by post or email) within this 14-day period.
- Exception: This right to cancel does not apply if you give us your express written consent to begin work within the 14-day period. If you do so, you will be required to pay for any work carried out up to the point of cancellation.
Confidentiality & Privilege
All communications between you and your Barrister are confidential and protected by legal professional privilege.
- This means that we cannot be forced to disclose the content of our communications to any third party, including the court, without your consent.
- Privilege belongs to you, the Client, and we are under a professional duty to protect it.
- This duty of confidentiality is subject to limited exceptions, such as where disclosure is required by law to prevent serious crimes or acts of terrorism.
Data Protection & GDPR
We are fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
- We collect and process your personal data solely for the purpose of providing legal services, managing our client relationship, and complying with our regulatory obligations.
- All data is stored securely, and access is strictly controlled.
- You have rights regarding your data, including the right to access, rectify, or request erasure of your personal information.
- We will retain your data for a specified period after your case concludes, in line with our professional and regulatory requirements, before it is securely destroyed.
Withdrawal & Termination
We may cease to act for you, with reasonable notice, on the following grounds:
- Non-payment of fees.
- You have provided misleading or false instructions.
- A conflict of interest arises.
- Your conduct makes it impossible for us to continue acting professionally.
- We are required to withdraw by our professional rules.
You may terminate our instructions at any time by providing written notice, but you will remain liable for any fees incurred up to the date of termination.
Professional Conduct
All work is undertaken in accordance with the Bar Standards Board (BSB) Handbook and its Code of Conduct. The Barrister's paramount duty is to the court and the administration of justice. All barristers must adhere to the Ten Core Duties, which include acting with honesty and integrity, maintaining independence, and acting in the best interests of each client.
Complaints Procedure
We are committed to providing a high-quality service. If you have any concerns, please refer to our How to Make a Complaint page for details of our complaints procedure and your right to complain to the Legal Ombudsman.
Governing Law
This agreement and any dispute or claim arising out of it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of this agreement.
Standard Legal Clauses
- Third-Party Rights: A person who is not a party to this agreement shall have no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of its terms.
- Entire Agreement: These terms, together with your client care letter, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Barrister.
- Severability: If any provision of this agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
- Variation: Any variation to these terms must be agreed upon in writing.
This information is reviewed at least annually. Last reviewed: November 2025.