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Instructing

Instructing Counsel is a straightforward process.  Your first point of contact should be our Practice Manager, who will be delighted to help you. Below you will find further information about our service and how we can help.

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Katherine is typically instructed by accountants, solicitors, tax advisors and under Public Access by private individuals, family offices and the directors of private and family owned companies. For advice as to the best way for a particular client to instruct Katherine, contact chambers@stkatharines.com.

The following people, solicitors or other practising lawyers, may instruct barristers either on behalf of clients or on their own account:

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  • any person authorised by another approved regulator (not the Bar Standards Board) or licensing authority;

  • an employed barrister or registered European lawyer;

  • any practising barrister or registered European lawyer acting on his own behalf;

  • a foreign lawyer;

  • a Scottish or Northern Irish Solicitor; or

  • the representative of certain other designated bodies (such as a Legal Advice Centre or Pro Bono or Free Representation Unit) which arrange for the supply of legal services to the public without a fee and which instruct barristers to supply legal services without a fee.

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PLEASE NOTE: Instructions delivered under Professional Client Access are accepted, unless otherwise agreed, on the basis of Katherine’s standard contractual terms.

  • When to instruct
    Katherine can be instructed to give tax advice and to conduct tax appeals and other tax-related litigation. Where you require tax advice, it is important to instruct Katherine as early as possible in the planning stage. Where the work is contentious (although she is used to stepping in right up to the last moment) it is generally better to involve Katherine at the correspondence stage, as she can often resolve a dispute without the need for lengthy correspondence or a court hearing.
  • Timescale
    Timescales may vary depending on factors such as Katherine’s availability, the type and complexity of the work, the need for additional information or documents, the other side’s approach and court waiting times. Katherine is very happy to discuss likely timescales with you for any specific piece of work in advance, if requested and if sufficient information is available. When Katherine accepts your instructions, she will agree a timescale with you for delivery of the work.
  • Agreeing fees
    For a fee quote for Katherine’s services, contact Katherine on kb@stkatharines.com or her practice manager on chambers@stkatharines.com. ​ Katherine most often charges a fixed fee or fee range, but occasionally she will also undertake work based upon an agreed hourly rate. All fees are exclusive of VAT if applicable. In addition, there may also be a charge for other disbursements such as travel and accommodation. ​ Katherine will always provide you with a fee quote, if requested to do so and if sufficient information is available. She aims to provide you with a fee quote before work starts as quickly and as clearly as possible. If you receive your quote and there is something you do not understand, please contact chambers@stkatharines.com.
  • Responsibility for fees
    The professional who instructs a barrister is liable for the fee due in respect of work carried out by the barrister under any instructions. Even in a case where the matter concerns a lay client, the professional is solely and exclusively liable to the barrister for the fees whether or not the lay client puts the professional in funds. In this regard, the relationship, between the barrister and the professional is a contractual one. ​ If the professional is a partnership or a firm or unincorporated association, the liability of the partners or members and on death that of their estates for the barrister’s fees is joint and several.
  • Our Terms of Engagement
    Katherine offers her services to clients subject to and in accordance with the Code of Conduct of the Bar. She accepts instructions on the basis of her own standard terms and conditions. A copy of her default standard terms and conditions is attached here and is available on request. ​ Specific terms may be agreed between Katherine and the client on a case by case basis subject always to the Code of Conduct of the Bar.
  • Anti-Money Laundering Procedures
    In accordance with the guidelines issued by the Bar Standards Board, the Bar Council and the Revenue Bar Association, Katherine is required to ask all lawyers or regulated professionals, whether UK or overseas, who instruct her to confirm in writing the identity of their lay client and that they have verified the identity of the lay client in accordance with the relevant money laundering regulations. Katherine cannot start work until that written confirmation has been received. We aim to make this process straightforward and convenient for the lay client and the regulated professional client. ​ Where Katherine is instructed directly by a member of the public, we undertake these client identification procedures ourselves and again aim to make this process straightforward and convenient for clients.
  • Video conferencing & face to face meetings
    Katherine aims to work in the way that best meets the needs of each client. If and when you wish to consult with Katherine, this can be done by remote video conferencing. If you have access to an iPad or a computer with a webcam, then we can accommodate you. The process is very simple; we invite you via e-mail. The e-mail includes a link to join the video conference. Once you have logged in successfully, Katherine is able to begin the video conference. Sometimes it is best to meet face to face. If so, Katherine can travel to your premises for the conference or you can attend a conference in London (within the Inns of Court) or in York.
  • Our values: Equal Opportunities Policy and Anti-Racism Statement
    We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and we abhor any form of prejudice or discrimination in relation to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexuality, class or age. ​ We have willingly adopted policies in relation to grievance, anti-harassment, and the making of reasonable adjustments to reduce substantial disadvantage for disabled people working in or receiving legal services and we have available a written statement on equality and diversity. ​ We are committed to creating a pleasant and enjoyable place where everyone who works here or instructs us feels welcome.
  • Regulatory Information
    The following information is provided pursuant to the requirements of The Provision of Services Regulations 2009. ​ Katherine Bullock is a self-employed barrister. A barrister’s chambers does not have a collective legal identity or form. ​ Katherine is registered for VAT. Her VAT registration numbers is GB 301 364 744 and is available on her fee notes. Chambers address: St Katharines House, Main Street, York, YO23 7DN. ​ The General Council of the Bar is the approved Regulator of the Bar of England and Wales and together with the Bar Standards Board (its regulatory arm) regulates the services that barristers provide. Katherine Bullock is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. ​ You can search the Barristers’ Register on the Bar Standards Board’s website: https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/for-the-public/search-a-barristers-record.html. This shows (1) whether a barrister has a current practising certificate, and (2) whether a barrister has any disciplinary findings, which are published on the Bar Standards Board’s website in accordance with their policy. Alternatively, you can contact the Bar Standards Board on 020 7611 1444 to ask about this (or e-mail ContactUs@BarStandardsBoard.org.uk). ​ Barristers are required to hold professional liability insurance. This is provided by: Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund Limited, 90 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 4ST ​ The minimum limit of cover is £500,000 and extends to claims brought in any jurisdiction. Further details are available at http://www.barmutual.co.uk/downloads and on request.
  • Cybercrime/Payment Fraud
    We will not send you information about changes to our bank account details by email. If you receive an email purporting to be from Katherine or from someone at St Katharine’s Chambers advising you of a change to bank account details it will not be genuine. Do not reply to the email or act on any information it may contain. Instead, please contact chambers@stkatharines.com immediately. ​ We accept no responsibility if you transfer money to a bank account which is not ours.
  • Complaints Procedure
    My aim is to give you a good service at all times, but if you do have a complaint with the service that you receive from me then you are invited to let me know as soon as possible. The Complaints Procedure can be viewed here.
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