Furnival Chambers was established in 1985 to deliver a comprehensive and specialist criminal law service for solicitors and lay clients. We are committed to ensuring that everything good in the traditional and independent bar thrives in a modern environment.
We have seen impressive growth since we were founded. We enjoy a strong reputation in general crime, reinforced by consistently high ratings in the Chambers Directory. At the same time our specialist teams have built up unique experience, and a formidable reputation, in fast-developing areas such as money laundering, asset forfeiture and extradition.
Chambers is presently home to the Treasurer of the Bar Council (Andrew Mitchell QC), four further elected members of the Bar Council (Francis Sheridan, Tim Devlin, Fiona Jackson and Faisal Osman) and the Chair of the Criminal Bar Association (Sally O'Neill QC).
We are a set that embraces equal opportunities, and combines the highest levels of skill and expertise with standard-setting levels of efficiency. All our work is underpinned by an open commitment to quality and service. We believe that quality standards are a starting point rather than an end in themselves, and a platform for a steadily improving service.
Making it happen
Efficient and accountable administration lies at the heart of a well-run and successful set.
Public bodies quite rightly insist that the highest levels of service are matched by equally high levels of accountability and transparency, so that the public they serve can see where fees are going. Our systems are intended to make this a painless, practical reality.
At the same time, accountability and high service standards build mutual understanding, confidence and trust between us and all our clients: solicitors, public bodies and members of the public.
We believe that this combination of compliance and commitment both sets us apart and sets the standard. Making our quality initiatives a matter of public record holds us to them, so that we actively manage them, rather than pay lip service to their ideals.
Our Good Practice Statement is summarised below. This, and our Equality Code, can be found in more detail on the relevant pages on this site:
- Professional clients will receive a case acknowledgment form filled out by counsel instructed within 48 hours of the brief being delivered.
- Each barrister will ensure that any advices, indictments or other written work that is required in respect of a brief will be dealt with within 7 days of receipt, unless there are exceptional circumstances relating to the size and/or complexity of the case.
- After a case has been dealt with in the Magistrates' Court,counsel who has attended will fill out and fax a note of the attendance to the solicitor who has instructed him/her to do the work.
- Chambers is open on weekdays from 8.15 am to 6.45 pm. The clerks are able to advise on the suitability of practitioners for particular cases.
- No counsel will be put forward unless he or she is recognised as being able to act in the particular area concerned.