Client Confidentiality

Our clerks are experienced in dealing with sensitive information and in cases where members of Chambers are instructed for different parties to a particular case, information barriers are in place to avoid a conflict of interest or inadvertent disclosure of confidential information. In accordance with our “Chinese Walls” policy and procedures, we ensure the following:

• The barristers concerned are informed of the other’s involvement;
• All barristers, clerks and staff avoid any discussion of such cases on Chambers’ premises or anywhere else in the presence of a member(s) of Chambers who are instructed on behalf of a different party;
• All correspondence, case papers and documents are only dealt with by the relevant clerk;
• Clerks ensure that papers are provided directly to each barrister or are kept in a sealed envelope within the clerks room to avoid accidental observation of their contents by opposing Counsel;
• Emails are not left open when barristers or clerks are away from their desks;
  All barristers similarly ensure strict control over papers relating to the case to avoid accidental observation by their colleague(s). Private rooms are kept shut in the absence of the barrister. Observation by any person is guarded against, particularly when reviewing papers in public places;
• Individual diaries are not available for inspection by other barristers;
• The allocated clerk will be solely responsible for the day-to-day clerking of the case, including billing, organising conferences or liaising with the individual client and barrister instructed;
• In the rare case of unavoidable absence of all the allocated clerks (for example due to annual leave), no other clerk will be involved on the case without consulting the barrister and solicitor before taking any action.