An English International Barristers’
Chambers In Malta

Founded in 2010 and incorporated as a Limited Liability Partnership on 29 December 2020, Acumum Chambers LLP is one of the few English law barristers’ chambers in Europe, licensed by the Bar Standards Board as an ‘ABS’ – Alternative Business Structure. Acumum Chambers LLP’s registration with the Bar Standards Board can be found here.

Acumum Chambers LLP’s Head of Chambers is Geraldine Noel, a barrister of England & Wales, who was called to the bar in 2002. Geraldine Noel’s registration as a barrister, her authorised areas of practice and status of findings of no previous disciplinary proceedings in her 23 year career can be accessed here.

An ABS English barristers’ chambers is a modern legal entity that allows barristers’ chambers to operate under structures and offer services beyond those permitted under traditional barristers’ rules.

Operating as an ABS enhances the scope of services offered—allowing chambers to directly employ solicitors, offer reserved legal activities i.e. litigation, and provide multidisciplinary legal and even non-legal services. For clients, this creates a streamlined, “one-stop shop” experience which can be especially attractive to corporate and international clients

ABS status enables Acumum Chambers to offer direct access lawyer services, competing directly with law firms and providing direct public access without the need for a solicitor intermediary

Lower overhead costs compared to large international law firms, flexible fee structures, and direct instruction model that reduces intermediary costs while maintaining advocacy excellence

Acumum Chambers LLP has Public Access ability: Qualified barristers can be instructed directly by members of the public without requiring a solicitor intermediary. For further information, please see the Bar Standards Board’s publication: Public Access Guidance for Lay Clients.

Acumum’s barristers may be directly engaged by professional clients: Direct instruction by in-house lawyers, international law firms, and corporate legal departments.

Transparent Fee Structures: Fixed fees, hourly rates, and conditional fee arrangements i.e “no win, no fee” where appropriate.

Cost Benefits of Direct Public Access Public access offers significant cost savings:

• 30% cheaper on average compared to using both a solicitor and barrister
• Fixed fee arrangements available for transparency and cost control
• Single lawyer fees rather than paying both solicitor and barrister
• Hourly rates clearly specified in advance

The cost of instructing a barrister at Acumum Chambers will depend on:

• The complexity of your case
• The seniority and experience of counsel
• The amount of work involved
• The urgency of the work

Fees are typically quoted either on an hourly rate basis or as a fixed fee (brief fee or refresher), depending on which approach is most appropriate and cost effective for your case.

After you complete our enquiry form, our Practice Managers will:

• Recommend suitable counsel for your needs
• Explain the information and documentation we require in order to prepare a meaningful estimate
• Provide you with a written estimate within 7 days of receiving the required information, or shorter in cases of urgency

Where a fixed fee is agreed, the quoted amount will not be exceeded without your prior consent.

Hourly rates will vary according to the seniority and expertise of counsel and the complexity and urgency of the matter.

All fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate (unless exemptions apply).

Fees are calculated by reference to:

• The time reasonably required to provide the service
• A reasonable hourly rate
• All relevant circumstances of the case

Our fee policy is flexible and competitive, while reflecting the high standard of legal advice and advocacy we provide.

Our current fee ranges can be found here.

Once instructions are accepted, counsel will review:

• The volume of papers to be examined
• Any additional information or documents needed
• The approach adopted by the opposing party

The completion date for work will depend on:

• Counsel’s availability
• The availability of the client(s) and any relevant third parties
• Any applicable court or hearing dates

We will provide regular progress updates on expected timescales and notify you promptly of any changes due to circumstances beyond our control.

• Acumum’s barristers provide independent, objective written or oral legal opinions for individuals, solicitors, companies, other professional services organisations, and public bodies
• Provision of comparative law analysis for international disputes
• Our legal opinions may be a mandatory pre-condition in many commercial transactions, in order to provide comfort to the other party, help clarify the strength of a case, interpret the law, or determine legal strategies

Preparation of pleadings, skeleton arguments, submissions to court, and complex legal documents

• Acumum’s barristers participate in pro bono work—volunteering their expertise for those unable to afford legal assistance, especially in deserving or public interest cases
• In 2025 Geraldine Noel was awarded the Pro Bono award of the General Council of the Bar of England & Wales, as can be found on the Recognition List

Acumum Chambers has established itself as a leading practice in the energy sector, with Geraldine Noel heading the Energy Team. Services include:

• Oil & Gas: Upstream operations and infrastructure advisory services
• Renewable Energy: Comprehensive legal services for solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects
• Project Finance: Structuring and documenting energy project financing arrangements
• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating complex energy regulations across EU, UK, Africa, and USA jurisdictions

The firm’s involvement with EU Renewable Research Centres in Groningen, Oslo, Aberdeen, and Copenhagen ensures cutting-edge expertise in this evolving area of law.

Acumum Chambers LLP provides comprehensive commercial law services, with particular strength in:

• Contract Law: Drafting and reviewing complex commercial agreements across multiple jurisdictions
• Corporate Governance: Advisory services on corporate structuring and compliance matters
• Cross-Border Transactions: Facilitating international business operations and investment structures
• Commercial Dispute Resolution: Managing complex commercial litigation and arbitration proceedings

Acumum Chambers offers specialised intellectual property services, leveraging Geradine Noel’s unique recognition by the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) as the first recipient of a trademark grant for virtual goods and services. Services encompass:

• Digital Assets: NFTs, blockchain technologies, and cryptocurrency legal frameworks
• Artificial Intelligence: Legal advisory on AI implementation and regulation
• Traditional IP: Patents, trademarks, and copyright protection and enforcement
• Technology Law: Cybersecurity, data protection, and electronic communications

Acumum Chambers provides sophisticated wealth structuring advice and drafting services:

• Trust Services: Establishment and administration of Maltese trusts
• Foundation Structures: Private and purpose foundations with segregated cell capabilities
• Family Trust Companies: Bespoke trustee solutions for high-net- worth families
• Estate Planning: Comprehensive succession planning across multiple jurisdictions

Geraldine Noel has been appointed as the first non-Maltese arbitrator at the Malta Arbitration Centre and has been appointed to the following arbitration panels.

• Aviation
• Banking and Finance
• Blockchain / Virtual Currencies / FinTech
• Condominium
• Employment and Industrial Relations
• Energy and Resources

• General Commercial
• Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
• Hospitality and Leisure
• iGaming
• Insurance
• Sport
• Technology, Media and Telecommunications

We strive to provide excellent, cost-effective advice to fit a client’s particular needs and situation, no matter how complex.

If you would like to instruct a public access barrister at Acumum Chambers LLP, please contact Geraldine Noel gnoel@acumum.com

If, for any reason, you believe that our service has fallen short of what you expected, please see our complaints policy here.

For a full overview of the services the barristers at Acumum Chambers can provide please see our expertise page.