Complaints

College Chambers has an internal queries and complaints procedure and is also subject to the complaints procedures of the Bar Standards Board and the Legal Ombudsman.

How to raise a query or make a complaint

Our aim is to provide an excellent service at all times, but we recognise that from time to time, things can go wrong. If you are unhappy with the service you received, please contact our Senior Clerk, J-P Schulz, in the first instance. You may wish to contact us in writing, but if you would rather telephone, please call 023 8023 0338 and ask to speak to the Senior Clerk. Where appropriate we will try to address your concerns informally but if necessary, we will arrange for the barrister with responsibility for complaints (currently Derek Marshall who is our Head of Professional Standards) to contact you.

Please note College Chambers and the Legal Ombudsman expect complaints to be dealt with via our internal complaints procedure initially and should be raised within 12-months of the issue forming the basis of the complaint or the matter of concern coming to your attention.

All complaints are kept strictly confidential. If we cannot resolve your complaint internally, there are alternative bodies such as ProMediate able to deal with complaints should we both wish to use such a scheme.

If you are unhappy with the outcome of our investigation or our attempts to mediate fail, you should contact the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333 or enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk.

Decisions made by the Ombudsman may also be found online.

The details of College Chambers' internal Queries and Complaints procedure is available here.

The details of College Chambers vexatious Complaints Policy is available here.

How to raise a query or make a against registered mediators

If you are unhappy with the service you received, please contact our Senior Clerk, J-P Schulz, in the first instance. You may wish to contact us in writing, but if you would rather telephone, please call 023 8023 0338 and ask to speak to the Senior Clerk. Where appropriate we will try to address your concerns informally but if necessary, we will arrange for the Head of Professional Standards to contact you (currently Derek Marshall).

1. A complaint against a registered mediator will be acknowledged in writing within 5 working days of receipt

2. All such complaints will normally be investigated and responded to within 21 working days of receipt although on occasions further time may be required, in which case you will be notified of this in writing.

3. The investigation will be carried out by somebody other than the mediator that the complaint relates to.

4. If the response is not accepted you may appeal directly to the Civil Mediation Council. Details of the appeal processes can be found here.

5. Written records of any complaints received will be maintained by Chambers

Legal Expertise You Can Trust

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He has experience across the spectrum of public and private children law matters

Legal 500

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Jonathan acted for me in a complex 8 day final hearing that involved allegations of physical harm to a child, large numbers of witnesses, including experts, significant quantities of documents submitted at short notice and multiple applications made by litigants in person. His ability to blend focused attention to detail in cross examination with tactical awareness of the impact of any developments on the wider picture was integral to ensuring that the right outcome was achieved. I was also very impressed with the care he took of the clients and management of their court experience.

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Nicola is very knowledgeable in her areas of expertise and has an excellent rapport with clients from whom I have always had positive feedback. Nicola is very helpful and promptly provides a concise detailed account in relation to outcomes from court hearings.

Karen Cox

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Anthony Hand sits as head of the family law team at the ‘fantastic’ and ‘highly recommended’ College Chambers

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Amy is extremely personable and cares about who she is representing. Her advice and guidance was invaluable throughout the two-day fact find hearing and final hearing. I would have no hesitation in recommending her. She took the time to really get to know me, understand what I value and wanted and then represented me accordingly. Her knowledge of family law including new and pending legislation is second to none.

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Carol successfully negotiated a financial settlement at court for a client of mine who found himself involved in a seemingly intractable dispute with his wife. It was a case with limited assets and substantial debts. There were four children of the family, all of whom had complex health issues. Using great skill, tact and diplomacy, Carol managed to pull off a deal that allowed the client to remain in the family home with the children, whilst ensuring that appropriate steps were put in place to manage the various liabilities. She was exactly the right choice of advocate for a tricky case that was in desperate need for a down to earth approach.

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Derek Marshall offers a different angle to the team, with a substantial practice as both a mediator and arbitrator.

Legal 500

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Daniel is always available to assist and very down to earth. He has an excellent client manner and quickly grasps the key issues to provide insightful analysis and advice. He is also an exceptional advocate and we would have no problem in recommending him.

Louis Howlett

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Carol Davies is particularly experienced in such matters, with recent work dealing with the validity of wills, the severing of joint tenancies shortly before death, and multi-jurisdictional matters.

Legal 500

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An excellent advocate

Legal 500

College Chambers

How to raise a query or make a complaint

How to raise a query or make a against registered mediators

He has experience across the spectrum of public and private children law matters

Nicola is very knowledgeable in her areas of expertise and has an excellent rapport with clients from whom I have always had positive feedback. Nicola is very helpful and promptly provides a concise detailed account in relation to outcomes from court hearings.

Anthony Hand sits as head of the family law team at the ‘fantastic’ and ‘highly recommended’ College Chambers

Derek Marshall offers a different angle to the team, with a substantial practice as both a mediator and arbitrator.

Daniel is always available to assist and very down to earth. He has an excellent client manner and quickly grasps the key issues to provide insightful analysis and advice. He is also an exceptional advocate and we would have no problem in recommending him.

Carol Davies is particularly experienced in such matters, with recent work dealing with the validity of wills, the severing of joint tenancies shortly before death, and multi-jurisdictional matters.

An excellent advocate

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