Joint Advisory Scheme

The Revenue Bar Association have sought to ensure that the Tax Bar is used by and available to as greater cross section of people as possible. The Joint Advisory Scheme is one such initiative, although it might not necessarily be the most cost effective way of instructing us. If you have any doubts, please call the clerks room.

Participating professional bodies

Chartered Institute of Taxation
Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales
The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants

Purpose of the scheme

This scheme is for members of the participating professional bodies (PPBs) who wish to seek tax advice from members of the Revenue Bar Association (RBA) on simple matters by telephone, fax or email, for a fixed fee.

The scheme is designed for:-
i) discussion of relatively short points;
ii) where problems can be explained over the telephone;
iii) where an indication is sought as to whether the point is of sufficient interest to justify further consideration.

If, after initial discussion, you wish to involve Counsel, full instructions should be provided in the normal way. It is important that instructions are given in advance of the work being undertaken.

If you prefer, a summary of the problem, contained on a single side of A4, may be faxed to Counsel in advance of the telephone discussion. This gives Counsel the opportunity to consider the issues in advance. In such circumstances, a preliminary telephone call to the clerk to arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss the problem is advisable.

How to use the scheme

Telephone the Chambers’ clerk and identify yourself as a PPB member who wishes to obtain advice under the Joint Advisory Scheme.

You will be asked for:-
i) your address;
ii) your telephone number;
iii) your fax number.

You will be sent standard terms and conditions by the Chambers’ clerk.

In complicated cases, Counsel may advise that the necessary advice cannot be given over the telephone as there is a need for further research. If this is necessary, no charge will be made and Counsel will be able to give an estimate of the time involved in the necessary research and the likely fee. You may put an initial cap on the amount of research time. Further authority will be sought by Counsel if this cap is likely to be exceeded.

Normally, you can expect to receive a fee note from the Chambers within four weeks of the advice being given, although such fee notes can be sent earlier if you request it.

Telephone consultations will be available under the scheme, and the PPBs and the RBA will review the operation of the Scheme towards the end of each year.

Fees

The charge for the service in 2008 will be £100 per hour with a minimum charge of £75 (plus VAT).

You will be charged for the time spent by Counsel on the telephone call, plus the time taken by Counsel subsequently to make a note of the call, which will be signed by him or her and sent to you (this is required for indemnity policy purposes). You can assume that the time taken in the preparation of the note will take no longer than the time taken on the telephone.