No Win, No Fee: What does it really mean?
Nearly 2.5 million people suffer from some form of accidental injuries each year in the United Kingdom. And more often than not those injuries will result in some form of time of work, some medical expenses or even a serious lifestyle change. So the last thing you need, is to be confused about your legal options.
If you have been in an accident and it was not your fault then under English law you are entitled to compensation. But getting that compensation can sometimes be a long and stressful experience. As the Citizen Advice Bureau puts it, “ seeking compensation for injuries and harm is not a social problem or a sign of the emergence of a compensation culture, but simply realising a civil and legal right”.
Because of the nature of the personal injury system and its complexities, unrepresented claimaints tend to be unsuccessful, most of the time.
So how does no win, no fee work. Well this colloquial expression is really the nickname for a ‘conditional fee agreement’. The structure of such agreements is various, but there is a general format.
So you find yourself a personal injury solicitor, and you claim for compensation. The no win no fee agreement is an agreement that has been made between you and the law firm, and so the courts are not interested in it.
If you claim is successful, then your solicitor is paid. This basic fee is usually supplemented by a success fee as well and is paid by the losing party. Then there are the incurred costs such as court fees, medical reports etc, which are either paid in part or in full by the losing party. At QualitySolicitors, you keep 100% compensation.
If you are unsuccessful however, you won’t have to pay your solicitor. But you will have to pay for the costs of the successful party – the other party. This will include their legal fees, court fees, medical reports etc. If you are concerned about this then speak to your solicitor about ‘after the event’ insurance. This is a type of insurance that will protect you from the financial hardships of losing your claim.
About the Author
Antonia Torr is a graduate from the University of Leicester, with a degree in Law with European Union Law. Having enjoyed writing from a young age, Antonia has received numerous awards that act as a testament to her quality of writing. Top rated No Win No Fee Solicitors, please visit our website at http://www.qualitysolicitors.com
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