Overseas Chambers is an overseas chambers regulated, as such, by the Bar Standards Board which is the regulatory organ of the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales.

Its administration is governed by the underlying principles and ethics contained in the Bar Code of Conduct (as amended) and adjusted for its overseas status and it's "Onshore" and "Offshore" legal and tax activity.

As it was initially established in Jersey, British Islands it was licensed under the Regulation of Undertakings and Development Law (Jersey) 1973; its Head of Chambers responded to the supervisory authority of the Jersey Financial Services Commission insofar as required by Schedule 2 Part B of the Proceeds of Crime (Jersey) Law 1999, and subordinate regulations taken under that Law.  At present, Overseas Chambers is regulated by the  Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board of England and Wales. Peter Harris does not act as an avocat in France, but as a Barrister. The two professions are entirely distinct and provide separate legal services in their jurisdictions.

In matters of domestic French law, the provision of legal advice is always dealt with in collaboration with a notary or avocat to ensure full coverage of domestic and private international law issues. Tax matters and private international law advice can be dealt with independently, if so instructed.

We make a distinction between

i) initial guidance on a fee paying basis for lay clients who are coming to terms with their situation - not a legal service (it can be off-putting to be immediately confronted with the requirements for instructions); and

ii) full Instructions which are given and taken either on a direct access basis or on a referral basis from professional advisers.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, no client accounts are operated by Overseas Chambers and Overseas Chambers will neither hold nor administer client money in any capacity, contractual, fiduciary or otherwise.

When not instructed through a lawyer, the usual terms and conditions for Direct Access and Licensed Access instructions are set out in  a client letter which is modified adjusted as appropriate to take account of each client's requirements status and residence.

The views expressed in this website are intended for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice.