No Win No Fee
Why would I want to make a `no win no fee` claim?
Most people will not be able to receive legal aid to make a claim and therefore to run the case will be expensive and if the case is lost, costs could be very significant.
TIP: Check your insurance to see whether it will fund your claim + check to see whether legal aid will fund your claim.
Will the `no win no fee` arrangement cover all the costs?
You won`t have to pay your solicitors' fees if you lose although it is possible that you may still have to pay some expenses. Verify any possible expenses before deciding to go ahead.
Will solicitors` fees be deducted from my compensation?
If you win, you will have to pay your solicitors' fees but you should get most back from the other side [normally an insurance company] and still be left with most of the compensation.
Is it worth paying for an insurance policy to cover any costs if I lose?
You may still have something to pay,whether you win or lose. You should seriously consider taking out an insurance policy to cover these costs and indeed many solicitors will ask you to take this out before they commence work.
TIP: If you are unable to pay the cost of the insurance sometimes a solicitor will pay the cost and recover it from any compensation. It is worth asking.
What is a solicitors` success fee?
A solicitor will usually charge a basic fee [you won`t pay these if you lose, if you win the other side should pay], and a success fee. This is an additional amount if your solicitor wins the case.
It is possible that you won`t get all of this back from the other side and if not will have to pay it from your compensation.
TIP: Check this before signing the `no win no fee agreement`.
Will I have to pay Barrister`s fees?
Sometimes a Barrister is needed to present the case to a Court or to provide advice on the case. This will depend upon the value and complexity of the case.
If your case is comparatively small, you may not need a Barrister however your solicitor will advise you on this.
The fees for a Barrister are not normally included in 'no win, no fee' agreements. It is possible that if you do need a barrister, you may have to pay them win or lose. Solicitor`s have close working relationships with Barrister`s and may be able to persuade them to charge on a 'no win, no fee' basis.
Are there any other expenses in a No win No win case?
You may have to pay other expenses for things like experts' fees [sometimes they will let you pay at the conclusion of the case], accident report fees, court fees etc. These expenses may not be included in the 'no win, no fee' agreement.
TIP: Before signing a 'no win, no fee' agreement, check the terms very carefully for hidden costs.
Before signing a No win no fee agreement check fees payable where:
*The case is dopped
*If you and your solicitor disagree about when to settle the case
*If you refuse to co-operate with your solicitor in some other way
*The other side is ordered to pay costs but can not do so.
*If you changed solicitor
Will a solicitor take the case on if they don`t think they will win?
No. They will not get paid if they don`t win and it will be a waste on time.
No win no fee
