Regulatory framework
Privacy Notice
Complaints Procedure
Regulatory framework
iTemple Employment Law Limited (Company Number 09139110 registered office 21 Temple Street Brighton BN1 3BH) is an entity authorised and regulated by the Bar Standards Board to provide the services of barristers. It provides services directly to the public (this is called the Public Access Scheme or sometimes Direct Access). Guidance from the Bar Standards Board on how the Public Access Scheme works is available here.
We specialise in resolving legal issues without recourse to litigation. If it has not proved possible to sort the problem out without litigating the issues before courts or Tribunals, because we are not authorised to conduct litigation the way solicitors' firms are (we cannot issue proceedings, file documents at court and serve documents on other parties or hold client monies) we will refer clients to solicitors' firms or entities authorised to conduct litigation who we work closely with (or you can choose a different firm of course).
Complaints procedure
Barristers in chambers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board. You can search the Barristers’ Register on the Bar Standards Board’s website: https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/regulatory-requirements/the-barristers'-register/. 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).
We aim to provide you with a great service and if you have any concerns about the service, please let me (Sophie Clifford) know and I will try to resolve the problem.
1. How to Make a Complaint
You can make a complaint by telephone, in writing, or by email. To help me resolve the issue quickly, please include:
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Your name and contact details.
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The nature of your complaint (what went wrong and when).
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How you would like the matter to be resolved.
Contact Details:
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Name: Sophie Clifford
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Address: 21 Temple Street, Brighton BN1 3BH
2. What Happens Next?
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Acknowledgment: I will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days of receipt.
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Investigation: I will personally conduct a full review of your file and the issues raised.
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Formal Response: Within 28 days of my acknowledgment, I will provide a detailed written response. This will include my findings and, where appropriate, proposals for resolving the matter.
Note: If the investigation requires more time, I will notify you of the delay and provide a revised timeframe.
3. Record Keeping
I will maintain a confidential record of any complaint received and any action taken. These records are reviewed annually to help improve my service.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling or outcome of the complaint, you may refer your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman (www.legalombudsman.org.uk). Please note that the Legal Ombudsman has time limits in which a complaint must be raised with them. The Legal Ombudsman expects complaints to be made to them within one year of the date of the act or omission about which you are concerned or within one year of you realising there was a concern. You must also refer your concerns to the Legal Ombudsman within six months of my final response to you.
You can also search the decision data on Legal Ombudsman’s website: http://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/raising-standards/data-and-decisions/#ombudsmandecision-data. This shows providers which received an ombudsman’s decision in the previous 12 months, and whether LeO required the provider to give the consumer a remedy. Alternatively, you can contact LeO on 0300 555 0333 to ask about this (or e-mail enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk).