Bristol law firms Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV) and Thrings have been appointed by the Bar Council as the first two strategic partners for a new debt recovery panel to help barristers collect outstanding fees from professional clients. 
The Bar Council – the professional association which represents barristers in England and Wales – closed its fees collection service in 2015 after the introduction of Standard Contractual Terms in January 2013.
The new fees collection service provides a panel of solicitors’ firms for members of the Bar to choose from to assist with the collection of their outstanding fees.
Both Thrings, which also has bases in Bath, Swindon and London, and Bristol-headquartered VWV, with offices in London, Watford and Birmingham, have specialist expertise in this area. More firms are expected to be signed up soon.
The panel will provide an essential service for barristers, many of whom are self-employed. With law firms appointed to the panel operating on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis, as well as at fixed up-front rates, barristers can select the payment option which best suits their individual preference and circumstances.
The new service is open to all members of the Bar, with additional services for those who pay the Bar Representation Fee (BRF).
Bar Council director of services Paul Mosson said: “Our members need assurance that when we appoint an affinity partner, we are rigorous and commercial in our assessment.
“We were impressed with the experience and quality demonstrated by Thrings and VWV feel confident our members will benefit from the appointment.” 
Thrings litigation partner Ramona Derbyshire, pictured, added: “Thrings is very pleased to have been appointed to the Bar Council’s panel of approved solicitors’ firms for debt recovery. Our team of specialists is looking forward to forging strong working relationships with barristers and Bar Council members.
“The recovery of outstanding fees is a new area for barristers, who can often feel exposed when payment is due. Thrings has been appointed by the Bar Council on the strength of its expertise in this area, and we welcome the opportunity to support and provide practical guidance to barristers during the often-sensitive process of debt recovery.”
VWV’s litigation & recoveries team has 26 experienced litigation and debt recovery lawyers working across the firm’s offices. Last year it won the title of Best in Litigation 2016 (UK) at the Acquisition International Legal Awards, and UK Debt Recovery Team of the Year 2016 at the 11th Annual ACQ5 Global Awards.
Partner and team head Dee Kundi – winner of the UK Debt Recovery Lawyer of the Year 2016 title at the 11th Annual ACQ5 Global Awards – pictured with VWV managing partner Simon Heald, said: “We look forward to demonstrating to our professional colleagues what expertise we can bring, to recovering their debts, whilst being completely clear and transparent on costs.” 
Chairman of the Bar Andrew Langdon QC said: “The debt recovery panel will be an essential service for many barristers. As most of us are self-employed, income is essential to our livelihoods.
“Balanced against that is the need to maintain long-term commercial relationships with our professional clients. With that in mind, the law firms on the panel are adept at handling the sensitivities around debt recovery and are able to handle the recovery of fees owed to barristers delicately.
“We want barristers to know they can turn to this service with the confidence that their case will be handled with care.”
Founded in 1894, the Bar Council promotes the Bar’s specialist advocacy and advisory services, provides fair access to justice for all, promotes the highest standards of ethics, equality and diversity across the profession, and develops business opportunities for barristers.
