Funding a case

The legal profession is like any service industry and is paid for by it's customers. We would always look to put a client on a Conditional Fee Agreement (also known as a "no win, no fee" agreement) backed by insurance. This means that in the event of a win all costs are recovered from the other side and the client is insured against a loss.

There are a number of ways a case can be funded as follows:

(i) Pre-existing legal expenses insurance. This may be attached to a motor or home contents insurance policy or be part of a specialist legal expenses insurance policy;

(ii) Legal Aid, now known as Public Funding. This can be applied for as of right. It is not normally available for accident compensation claims and is not available where you have pre-existing legal expenses insurance. Should you wish to apply then you can find the relevant forms on the internet at http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/misl/forms.htm or by writing to the Legal Services Commission: 85 Gray's Inn Road, London. WC1X 8TX;

(iii) If you are a member of a trade union you may be entitled to free legal advice and they may agree to underwrite your legal costs. Some employers also provide legal costs insurance cover for employees;

(iv) You may enter into a private agreement, where you are obliged to pay the legal costs irrespective of the outcome, although you may recover some or all of these at the end of the case if you win;

(v) You may enter into a Conditional Fee Agreement, also known as a "no win, no fee" agreement. The most important features are that you do not have to pay any costs to your solicitors for the time they spend on your behalf unless your claim is successful and in return they are entitled to a success fee if you win (which is payable by the other side). This would normally be supported by legal expenses insurance, to protect you against having to pay the other side.

We strongly recommend cases are pursued under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If you are talking to or already using a solicitor and are not on a Conditional Fee Agreement then call us to discuss taking over the case on (01296) 662770