Like all of you, at 1KBW we are continually monitoring the coronavirus outbreak, receiving daily advice from a number of different government organisations. We want to reassure all of you that we have the resources, systems and infrastructure in place to continue to provide a seamless service.
Following the recent escalation of Government advice we will be implementing the following from Monday 23rd March 2020:
-
-
- All face to face conferences will instead now be conducted by telephone, Skype or video conferencing.
- A skeleton staff will continue to work from chambers with all other staff fully contactable, remotely, and working from home. Our telephone system allows us to automatically forward calls to those clerks working at home so please use the usual telephone number (020 7936 1500) to make contact during business hours.
-
Barristers
All of our barristers are able to work remotely and will remain accessible either by telephone or by Skype.
ADR
To help you and your clients to deal with the current extraordinary situation chambers will be offering fee reductions across all areas of ADR (Mediators, Arbitrators and Private FDR Judges). Chambers has 2 Video conferencing suites but we can also arrange remote connections for all parties for any type of ADR or court hearing. Please contact a member of the clerking team for further details and also find details of our ADR offering here.
Paperless working
Many of our members already work electronically. With effect from 23 March 2020 all instructions and documentation should be provided in electronic format in the first instance. Bespoke arrangements can be made thereafter if necessary. Please email clerks@1kbw.co.uk
Emergency contact details
Please find below contact details of our senior and deputy senior clerks – they can be contacted outside of normal business hours – our current business hours are Monday – Friday (08:30 – 18:30)
-
-
- Chris Gittins – 07880 187 935
- Mark Betts – 07734 961 212
-
We very much hope that this period of disorder will be over soon. However, in the meantime we assure you of our commitment and support and we hope that by continuing to work together we will manage this disruption as effectively as possible.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or need further assistance or information.
Deborah Eaton QC & Philip Marshall QC – Joint Head of Chambers
Chris Gittins – Senior Clerk