Matrix Chambers -Direct Service Barrister's -Scam or Sham ?
Direct Barrister services .I needed representation at an Employment Tribunal and was advised to use a barrister by the Employment judge as I had successfully applied for & was granted an ET Hearing.
I had been made redundant as result of whistleblowing by a Nursing Agency -CIP Recruitment -Group or who were then known as Synergy Personnel solutions -also now known as Lifeline Solutions or Susan Hamilton Mayday who had been committing fraud & thus violating contracts with the NHS Trusts.
I had prepared most of the work and had evidence .
This Barrister agreed to represent me for fee which increased within a short timespan.
This barrister became irate when I questioned his tactics and his acting without instruction from me.
I was of the impression that a barrister is under a legal obligation to behave professionally, to act in your best interest and on your instruction as well as to offer advise .
Rapid fee increases :
When he initially quoted a fee & we agreed on this he then increased the fee -AFTER agreeing to a set amount .
I felt I had no choice as he said had devised a plan to 'squeeze them '& it was too late to procure another barrister who had been my alternate option and whom he had made derogatory comments about which had made me decide on foregoing her services.
My 1st incorrect choice.
He talks the talk but does not walk the talk .
This barrister then went to the extent of requesting his admin assistant to separate the fees ;
i)Fees for ALL advise , pre-work / preparation done PRIOR to and up to the ET Hearing
and
ii)fees for the ET Hearing to be held over x5-7 days.
No mention was made verbally by him or his team /admin staff of refunds or non refunds if the Hearing was not held .
I also did not remember asking about a refund at the time as my intention was to see the case through.
My experience of TK -the Matrix Chambers Barrister -was disappointment, stress and disgust at his behaviour.
He not only violated the legal contract he made with me as his client by:
Rapidly and drastically increasing fees x1st time I conceded but when he tried a second time I refused .
Being unprepared for the case
He also acted without instruction from me
He acted against my instruction not to negotiate a settlement and
Against my instruction not to postpone the hearing and
When it was postponed -I requested it be within x3months but it was postponed for 9 months.
He lied about his actions after direct questioning by myself & confronting him with the fact that the defendants lawyer had stated that :
He my barrister had requested to negotiate a settlement
My barrister had requested s postponement citing that he was not ready.
He sought a postponement of the ET Hearing for 9 months later -stating it was at the request of the defendant who denied requesting this.
In the meantime the company -CIP Group /Synergy Oerdonnel Solutions -Lifeline -was planning or in the process of liquidation-insolvency which of course then made my claim uselessness null and void.
When I asked the barrister for advise on this -the barrister advised we find 'other ways ' to sue the Directors directly etc etc .
When this requested made to the ET judge -the Judge advised it was NOT possible to do so ( surely my barrister should have known this ?),
I asked what was next -he ignored my communications for about a week then stated that he had advised me that there was no point in pursuing the case -a blatant lie.
Why would he write or ask me to write to the ET Judge making by requests when he states he had told me there was now no case ?
Lack of Preparation :
He did not prepare or poor preparation for my case , his lies related to acting without my instruction and not acting on my instructions,with the resultant prolonged hearing postponement & subsequent insolvency /liquidation , I believe resulted in the loss of my case .
To crown it all when I complained to him he offered to refund £2000 'as a favour '.
I declined his offer as I felt it was an insult to me and because I felt on principle he was being rewarded for mesdi g up my case .
The ET Hearing fees separately , amounted to £6000-£7000.
Why was I not entitled to a full refund of them if there was no ET Hearing ?
I complained to their complaints department, I was ignored for about 1-3 weeks until I mentioned the legal ombudsman.
I was then contscted by LS snd requested to provide 'evidence'
I submitted evidence of his lack of professionalism by way of emails etc etc however, I should not have expected more or fair practice from this company -Matrix Chambers -London -it appears they protect their own.
I was advised that after 'much consideration 'they had assessed my complaint and felt this Barrister TK, had done nothing wrong.
So... PLEASE ...Do NOT be fooled by their fancy name and spiel.
My experience of them is that they are merely conmen in legal gear ,hiding behind their legsl knowledge , protecting each other and out for themselves.
Would this be considered -' white collar crime 'or not considered a crime at all because they are barristers?
Where is and /or what was my protection ?
He had clearly failed me and clearly,blatantly violated our legal contract -thereby disregarding the law & his code of practice bedsides not providing representation paid for.
In consumer law ..refunds are granted for services not rendered, goods not delivered, damaged goods, false representation of goods or otherwise or goods not fit for purpose.
He -TK did not deliver nor did he represent me at the ET Tribunal and what he did deliver was NOT as promised to me or as he sold it or himself or his services .
I lost £10 000 & whatever basic payments I may have received e.g. leave pay , outstanding pay for loss of employment ,besides the stress, distress and fear caused by his unprofessional behaviour .He behaved like he was un accountable & this was proved when he was backed by his colleagues at Matrix Chambers .
I am aware that all barristers are not like this -but how does one -an ordinary layperson distinguish from genuine barristers from the suited legal crooks?
My advise :-
Do NOT fall for the impressive sale jargon ..as that's what I did -he sold himself -excellent sales pitch but failed to deliver.
Research your barrister -find other clients that have used his services etc etc
This was my first time using this 'direct barrister 'services and I blame myself for my inexperienced poor choice.
However, I believed that as a legal person he was NOT above the law and I expected honesty and integrity from him besides his expertise.
I later discovered to my dismay -that this barrister had been declared a BANKRUPT.
My question is :
Why did he not disclose this to me ?
Why did his administrative team not disclose this to me when recommending his services to me.
Are hid sdmin team allowed to recommended him without disclosures to potential clients -full disclosure or are they or him not bound by a duty of candour ?
Is this not illegal?
Is it not purposeful deceifulness by omission ?
Why was he even allowed to continue practicing as a barrister in Matrix Chambers without supervision or being accountable to someone senior ?
Why was he allowed to be registered as a direct contact barrister after his bankruptcy ?
Was he allowed to be a Director as a BANKRUPT?
Lots of questions left unanswered whilst he continues to practice. and held unaccountable.
This has left me with no confidence in the legal system and /or this direct barrister engagement scheme.
29 July 2017
Unprompted review
