What Does ‘No Win No Fee’ Mean?

‘No Win No Fee’ means you only pay legal fees if your case is successful. There are no upfront costs, and if you lose, you don’t owe anything. This type of agreement, called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), allows people to pursue legal claims without financial risk.

How does no win no fee work?

1. Free Case Evaluation: The process begins with a free, no-obligation consultation. A solicitor will assess the details of your case, including what happened, who was at fault, and whether there’s a reasonable chance of success. If your claim looks strong, they’ll invite you to move forward.
2. Conditional Fee Agreement Signed: If your claim is accepted, you’ll be asked to sign a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), the legal document that sets out the terms of your No Win No Fee arrangement. This confirms that you won’t pay legal fees unless your case is successful.
3. Evidence Collection: Once the agreement is signed, your solicitor will begin gathering evidence to support your claim. This may include witness statements, CCTV footage, accident reports, employment records, and more. The goal is to build a strong legal case from the start.
4. Medical Assessments & Expert Reports: If you’ve suffered an injury, your solicitor will arrange for an independent medical examination. This report helps prove the severity of your injury and links it to the accident. Other expert reports (like engineering or safety reports) may also be used if needed.
5. Negotiation with the Defendant or Insurer: With the evidence and reports in hand, your solicitor will contact the other party — usually their insurance company — to present the case. They’ll negotiate on your behalf to try to settle the claim without going to court. Many claims are resolved at this stage.
6. Court Proceedings (if necessary): If the defendant denies responsibility or offers an unfair settlement, your solicitor may recommend taking the case to court. You’ll be supported throughout the process, and your solicitor will handle all filings, deadlines, and representation. You still won’t pay unless you win.
7. Compensation Outcome & Payment: If your case is successful, you’ll receive a compensation award. The other party typically covers most of your legal costs. A pre-agreed success fee (usually no more than 25% of your compensation) may be deducted. If you lose, you pay nothing, and ATE insurance covers any additional costs

Key features of a No Win No Fee agreement:

• No upfront costs: You don’t need to pay anything to start your claim. Your solicitor will begin working on your case without charging any initial legal fees. This means there’s no financial barrier to seeking justice.
• No legal fees if you lose: If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay your solicitor for the work they’ve done. This removes the risk of losing money on a failed claim, you simply walk away without owing anything.
• Success fee : If your claim is successful, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from your compensation. This is a pre-agreed percentage, usually capped at 25% of your damages, and is only paid after you receive your award.
• Disbursement coverage: Expenses such as medical reports, expert opinions, and court fees (known as disbursements) are often covered by the opposing party if you win. If not, they’re typically protected by insurance, so you’re not left out of pocket.
• After the Event (ATE) insurance: Your solicitor may recommend After the Event insurance, which covers the cost of disbursements and potential fees owed to the other side if your case doesn’t succeed. This policy ensures you’re financially protected from start to finish.

What types of claims can be made?

No win no fee applies to a wide range of personal injury claims, including:

• Road Traffic Accidents 
• Accidents At Work
• Slips, Trips and Falls 
• Medical Negligence
• Sports Injury
• Product Liability 

What happens if you lose your case? 

If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay your solicitor’s legal fees. Most No Win No Fee cases are protected by After the Event (ATE) insurance, which covers other legal costs like court fees or expert reports. You’re typically not out of pocket, unless you breach the agreement or act dishonestly.

In most cases, your solicitor will also arrange After the Event (ATE) insurance, which covers other legal expenses, such as:

• Court fees
• Medical report costs
• Expert witness fees
• Costs the court might order you to pay to the other side

This means you are typically fully protected from any out-of-pocket costs, even if the case does not go your way.

Start your no win no fee claim today

It’s easy to begin. Here’s how:

• Contact us for a free consultation.
• We’ll review your case and explain if a no win no fee agreement is suitable.
• If you proceed, we’ll sign a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) and begin building your case.

Call us at (+44) 800 970 2727 or contact us online to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions