‘No win, no fee’ is a term that’s used by thousands of legal providers across the UK. But what does it really mean when it comes to personal injury claims? This article from leading personal injury experts Injury Lawyers 4u explains what it should mean – and warns that not everyone uses it in the same way.
Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs)
Introduced in 1995, a CFA is the formal term for a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. CFAs were brought in when personal injury claims became ineligible for legal aid, so people could pursue these claims regardless of their financial circumstances.
A CFA is an agreement between a client and their solicitor. The idea is that if the solicitor doesn’t win the case, then the client doesn’t pay a fee. This means that the client can make their claim with peace of mind knowing that the risk is not theirs, but also that the solicitor will work to gain them the best compensation package that they possibly can.
The benefits of ‘no win, no fee’ agreements
The main benefit to the client is that they can pursue their personal injury claim without risk – there’s nothing to lose if the case doesn’t succeed. And if they win, they won’t have to eat into their compensation award to pay their legal fees.
What’s more, their solicitor will be motivated to do a good job for their client and win the case as if they don’t, they won’t get paid.
The cons: ‘no fee’ doesn’t always mean ‘no cost’
Sometimes, when a case is lost, the client may be liable for the other party’s costs, such as court fees. This stands outside the ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. However, a good solicitor will protect his client against this risk by arranging ‘After Event’ insurance before proceeding with the case.
Choose your ‘no win, no fee’ solicitor with care
Sadly, some personal injury companies don’t follow the rules for ‘no win, no fee’ agreements. They abuse the system by including hidden charges in the services they offer, for example, by taking a percentage of the client’s compensation award, or charging fees when a case is lost.
Don’t be taken in by these unscrupulous providers. Choose a professional, regulated legal provider like Injury Lawyers 4u who offer a genuine ‘no win, no fee’ service. And you’ll have the reassurance of knowing your claim will be handled by experts with years of experience of pursuing successful claims. Call us today on 0333 400 4445.
Typically, customers pay 25% of the amount that is recovered. This can vary and maybe more or less. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your lawyer.