No Win No Fee
With a "no win no fee" agreement, who pays the lawyer's legal costs?
In personal injury cases in England and Wales, the rule is that "costs follow the event". In other words, the successful party receives their legal costs from the losing opponent.
Assuming that your case is successful, the other side must pay your compensation and also your costs.
Irrespective of whether your claim is based on a "no win no fee" agreement or private funding, the rule still applies.
What are "disbursements"? Are these still payable in a no win no fee claim?
The term "no win no fee" refers to the legal costs.
However, various additional expenses also arise in a personal injury claim, such as:
- GP records (usually about £50)
- Hospital records (usually about £20)
- Court issuing fee (usually £120-£250).
These disbursements are reclaimed from the opponents at the conclusion of the case.
We always ask clients to meet these expenses, if they can afford to do so, otherwise we will fund these items as the claim proceeds.
Will there be any deductions from my compensation, assuming a successful outcome?
In most cases, we make no deductions from your final compensation.
However, there are certain exceptions to the above rule, particularly where:
- Your claim is likely to remain unresolved for an unusually long time (eg while lengthy medical treatment and investigations take place)
- Your case poses usual difficulties
- Limitation expires shortly
- The claim has originally been commenced by other solicitors and then transferred
If any of the above applies, we will discuss the matter fully before agreeing to act for you.
What is the usual outcome in a successful "no win no fee" compensation claim?
In a typical no win no fee claim, the normal outcome is that the opponents will pay your damages.
Additionally, they will also pay the bulk of the legal costs.
The opponents will also repay your disbursements, provided these were reasonably incurred.
Finally, the other side also have to meet their own legal costs.