Specialist Barristers’ Practice Delivering Strategic Legal Solutions
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board, Westminster Chambers provides high-quality advocacy and tailored legal advice across civil litigation, family law, property, and immigration.
About Westminster Chambers
Westminster Chambers is a specialist barristers’ practice regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). Established in 2014, the Chambers is distinguished by its commitment to excellence, precision, and the delivery of exceptional legal representation.
Under the leadership of Barrister Ahmed Malik, Head of Practice, all matters are handled either personally or under his direct supervision. He is supported by a team of highly qualified lawyers and experienced administrative professionals, ensuring the highest standards of service at every stage.
The Chambers has a strong focus on civil litigation, with recognised expertise in family and children law, property and trust law, and immigration law. It also advises and represents clients across a wide spectrum of common law matters, delivering strategic, bespoke, and results-driven solutions tailored to each client’s objectives.
Our Practice Areas
We provide specialist legal services with a focus on precision, strategy, and client success across key areas of law.
Family
Expert guidance on divorce, financial settlements, and relationship disputes, delivered with clarity, care, and discretion.
Children
Offering clear, supportive guidance in child arrangements, care matters, and disputes between parents.
Property & Trusts
Advising on property disputes, landlord and tenant matter , and related claims with precision, clarity, and strategic insight
Immigration
Expert advice on visas, asylum, appeals, and nationality matters with strong legal representation.
Our Approach to Legal Representation
At Westminster Chambers, we deliver clear, strategic, and client-focused legal services. From initial advice through to court representation, our approach is focused on achieving practical, effective outcomes while safeguarding our clients’ interests at every stage of the legal process.
01
Initial Advice & Case Assessment
We start with a comprehensive assessment of your case, offering clear, practical advice and identifying the most effective strategy tailored to your specific circumstances
02
Preparation & Legal Strategy
Every case is prepared with meticulous attention to detail and a clear strategic focus. We develop robust legal strategies, ensuring that all documentation, evidence, and arguments are carefully structured and presented to the highest professional standard.
03
Representation & Resolution
We deliver confident, effective advocacy before courts and tribunals throughout England and Wales, focused on securing the best possible outcome for each client.
Complaints Handling Policy
This policy explains how complaints are handled by Westminster Chambers Limited, a BSB authorised entity.
It is drafted in accordance with Rule C103 of the Handbook of the Bar Standards Board, the First Tier Complaints Handling Guidance, and the Transparency Standards Guidance. It is based on the BSB model complaints procedure, adapted to our practice structure.
We are committed to providing a professional, accessible and high-quality service. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, we encourage you to raise your concerns promptly so they can be considered fairly, proportionately and without charge.
Our Practice Structure
Westminster Chambers Limited is a BSB authorised entity operating as a single practitioner practice.
The Practice is led by barrister Ahmed Malik who is the Head of Practice and sole director. All legal services are provided by him or under his direct supervision.
He is responsible for handling complaints. Where appropriate, independent advice may be sought to ensure complaints are dealt with objectively and fairly.
Scope of This Policy
This procedure applies to complaints about the quality and standard of service provided.
It does not:
- Determine the outcome of court or tribunal proceedings;
- Replace court or appeal processes;
- Determine professional negligence claims (which are matters for the courts).
We will consider complaints from:
- Current and former clients;
- Former clients’ representatives;
- Prospective clients;
- Non-clients, including third parties directly affected by our services.
Complaints from non-clients will be handled fairly and proportionately, although such complaints may fall outside the jurisdiction of the Legal Ombudsman.
How to Make a Complaint
If you have a complaint, please contact us as soon as possible.
Complaints may be made orally or in writing, including by email, post or telephone.
Complaints should be addressed to:
You are not required to submit your complaint in writing, but doing so may assist in avoiding misunderstanding.
Raising a complaint will not affect how your legal matter is handled. You will not be charged for time spent dealing with your complaint.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you require reasonable adjustments (for example due to disability, language needs or communication preferences), please inform us. We will take reasonable steps to ensure the complaints process is accessible.
First Tier Complaints Procedure
Acknowledgement
We will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 7 days of receiving it.
Investigation
The complaint will be reviewed by the Head of Practice.
The investigation will be conducted impartially and proportionately. We may request further information where reasonably necessary to understand the issues raised.
In investigating your complaint, we will consider:
- The scope of the agreed instructions;
- The applicable terms of engagement;
- Any written client care documentation;
- Our professional and regulatory obligations under the BSB Handbook.
Response
We will provide a written response within 8 weeks of receiving your complaint.
Our response will:
- Address the issues raised;
- Explain our findings and reasoning;
- Confirm whether the complaint is upheld (in whole or part) or not upheld;
- Set out any proposed resolution or remedial action where appropriate;
- Inform you of your right to refer the matter to the Legal Ombudsman if you remain dissatisfied.
If we are unable to provide a final response within 8 weeks, we will explain why and provide an updated timescale. After 8 weeks, you may refer your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman whether or not we have concluded our investigation.
Legal Ombudsman
If you are not satisfied with our final response, or if 8 weeks have passed since you first raised your complaint, you may refer the matter to the Legal Ombudsman, an independent body which investigates complaints about the standard of legal service.
Contact Details
Legal Ombudsman PO Box 6167 Slough SL1 0EH Telephone: 0300 555 0333 Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk Website: www.legalombudsman.org.ukTime Limits
You must refer your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman:
- Within six months of receiving our final written response; and
- No later than one year from the date of the act or omission complained about, or from when you should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint.
Who Can Complain to the Legal Ombudsman
The Legal Ombudsman generally considers complaints from:
- Individuals;
- Micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and turnover or assets below €2 million);
- Charities with annual income below £1 million;
- Clubs and associations with annual income below £1 million;
- Trustees of trusts with asset value below £1 million;
- Personal representatives and certain beneficiaries of estates.
What the Legal Ombudsman Can and Cannot Do
The Legal Ombudsman considers complaints about service standards. It does not:
- Determine legal rights;
- Decide the merits of a case;
- Determine allegations of professional misconduct;
- Resolve professional negligence claims.
The Legal Ombudsman may decline to investigate complaints where, for example:
- The issue is better suited to determination by a court;
- The complaint is out of time;
- The complaint is frivolous or vexatious.
Professional Misconduct
Concerns about professional misconduct may be reported to the Bar Standards Board.
The BSB regulates barristers and BSB authorised entities in England and Wales and deals with matters such as:
- Dishonesty;
- Discrimination;
- Breach of confidentiality;
- Conflicts of interest;
- Conduct likely to diminish public trust and confidence in the profession.
Website: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
The Legal Ombudsman may refer matters to the BSB where appropriate.
Professional Negligence
Allegations of professional negligence are not determined under this complaints procedure and are generally matters for the courts. Independent legal advice should be sought where appropriate.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
If appropriate, complaints may be resolved through mediation or another form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), where both parties agree.
However, we consider the Legal Ombudsman scheme to be the primary and most appropriate ADR body for complaints about legal services.
Data Protection
We process personal data in connection with complaints in accordance with UK GDPR and our regulatory obligations.
We collect:
- Contact details;
- Information relevant to your complaint;
- Supporting documentation.
The lawful bases for processing are:
- Compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; and
- Legitimate interests in monitoring and improving service standards.
We retain complaint files for 7 years after closure, after which personal data is securely deleted or anonymised.
We will normally correspond only with the client unless we receive written authority to communicate with a third party.
Monitoring and Learning
We:
- Record all complaints and their outcomes
- Analyse trends and recurring themes
- Report complaint data to senior management
- Use findings to improve services and training
Senior management take active oversight of complaints handling to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and to promote continuous improvement.
Our Expertise & Achievements in Legal Practice
At Westminster Chambers, we apply legal knowledge with precision and strategic insight to deliver effective, client-focused solutions. Our practice is built on experience, strong advocacy, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes across a wide range of legal matters.
OUR AIM
Our aim is straightforward: to deliver effective representation and clear, strategic legal guidance, focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients
Professional Help
We appreciate your trust. Our clients choose us because they know we’re the best.
Testimonial
What Our Clients Say About Us
Ahmed Malik’s professional services are highly appreciated by his clients, as reflected in the testimonials below: