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Personal Injury & Other Cases
Injured or Let Down?
If you’ve suffered an injury, financial loss, or negligence — we’re here to help you claim the compensation and justice you deserve.
What is a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA)?
What is a Conditional Fee Agreement(CFA)?
A Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), commonly referred to as a “no win, no fee” agreement, is a contract between a client and a lawyer in which the lawyer’s fees are only paid if the case is successful. If the case does not succeed, the client will not be liable to pay the lawyer’s fees, making this a valuable option for those who may not have the financial means to pay upfront legal costs.
How CFAs Work in Practice
CFAs are typically used in personal injury cases, medical negligence, and other civil claims where the client may otherwise struggle to fund legal representation. Under this type of arrangement, the client is not required to pay legal fees if the case is unsuccessful, though they may still be liable for certain other costs (e.g., court fees or expert witness fees) that arise during the course of the case.
How Does It Work?
No Win, No Fee:
The most appealing aspect of a CFA is that you only pay legal fees if your case is won. If you win, your lawyer will be entitled to a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation you receive, in addition to the legal fees. The maximum deduction we can take from your compensation is legally limited to no more than 25% of your compensation for personal injury and past losses.
Success Fee:
In the event that the case is successful, a “success fee” will be added to the lawyer’s basic fee. This success fee is a percentage of the lawyer’s standard fees and is typically set at a rate of up to 100%. The success fee compensates the lawyer for the risk of working without payment if the case were unsuccessful.
Costs Recovery:
If your case is successful, you may also be able to recover the costs from the other party, such as disbursements (e.g., court fees or medical reports). However, the success fee and any additional charges are usually paid by you, out of the compensation you receive, although this will depend on the agreement.
Risks of Losing:
If the case is not successful, you do not pay the lawyer’s fees. However, you may still be responsible for some costs, such as the other side’s legal costs, court fees, or expert fees. These costs can sometimes be covered by After The Event (ATE) insurance, which we can discuss with you in more detail.
What Chrges Will You Face?
Lawyer’s Fees:
As mentioned, lawyer’s fees are only payable if the case is successful. These are typically based on hourly rates, but may be subject to a percentage increase if a success fee is applied.
Success Fee:
The success fee is calculated based on the lawyer’s hourly rate and the risk involved in the case. The percentage of the success fee will be agreed upon at the outset and will be made clear in the CFA.
Disbursements:
Disbursements are costs incurred in the process of your case, such as court fees, medical records, or expert witness fees. These may be payable regardless of the outcome and may be recoverable if you win.
Insurance Costs:
In some cases, we may advise you to take out After The Event (ATE) insurance, which can cover costs in case you lose the case. The cost of this insurance can vary depending on the nature of the case.
Conditional Fee Agreement
Is a Conditional Fee Agreement Right for You?
Benefits :
A CFA can provide peace of mind, particularly if you are concerned about the financial implications of legal action. It allows you to pursue your claim without the fear of upfront costs and reduces the financial risks associated with litigation.
Considerations :
However, as with all legal agreements, it’s important to fully understand the terms before proceeding. Our lawyers will ensure that you are fully aware of the potential costs, charges, and the risks involved, and will explain your options in detail to help you make an informed decision.
Our Role :
If you’re considering a Conditional Fee Agreement, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll assess the merits of your case and explain how a CFA might work for you.
Other cases & Costs Arrangements
Fixed fee
On some matters we have fixed fee options available. This means that a solicitor will assess your situation and provide you with a fixed fee to assist with your case. This gives you a level of cost certainty to get you to a particular resolution. For some areas we are able to do this in stages of your case which gives you even more flexibility.
Agreed hourly rate
This is the traditional fee structure which means that a solicitor will assess your case and provide a fully flexible option on an hour by hour basis. You will be given information about the likely overall cost of your matter and you will be updated as to these costs.
Legal expense insurance
We will investigate the possibility of funding your case through a legal expense insurance policy. This is a service which comes with some insurance policies and other financial products. It can be used to cover part or all of your costs. Your solicitor can take you through this option if it is available.