What is no win no fee and how does it work?
If you've been involved in an accident caused by the negligence of another person and it resulted in you suffering an injury or illness, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Instructing any sort of legal service is costly, especially if your injury or illness has left you unable to work. A way to remedy that is through a no win no fee claim - also known as a conditional fee agreement.
Your no win no fee solicitor in Scotland will cover all your claim costs and expenses including medical report fees, court fees and any barrister fees. You won't have to pay any costs upfront, there are no hidden surprises.
Depending on your claim type and the value, if you win your case the other side will usually be required to contribute towards your legal costs and expenses. The legal costs that need to be covered may include an insurance policy taken out to make sure your claim is risk free, known as ‘After the Event insurance' (ATE). Any legal costs including fixed fees which are not covered by the other side, and where applicable a ‘success fee' for winning your claim. Your lawyer will explain and discuss how much you'll pay at the start of your claim, so you know what to expect if you win your case. There will be no hidden surprises.
If you would like more information, your no win no fee lawyers in Scotland offer free no obligation support. In your initial informal chat, you'll get free advice and find out if you have a legitimate claim and if your claim could be taken on a no win no fee basis.
Find out if you could be eligible to start you claim today. If you need further information about no win no fee, our personal injury claim in Scotland page has further information.
If I win my case, who pays my solicitor?
If I win my case, who pays my solicitor?
Your no win no fee solicitor in Scotland will take their fee from the compensation you're awarded. It will be a pre-agreed amount taken from the compensation you receive, so you won't be left with any unexpected costs.
Will I have to pay any other costs if I win?
Will I have to pay any other costs if I win?
Alongside the 'success fee' for your no win no fee solicitor, other deductions may be made from your compensation, including any legal costs not paid by the other side. If your solicitor needed to take out a legal protection policy - known as After the Event (ATE) insurance - the premium will also be deducted.
But please rest assured that your no win no fee solicitor in Scotland won't ask for any upfront costs, so you won't face any further financial hardship following your accident.Our Scottish solicitors will take you through every step of the journey and ensure that there is no financial risk stopping you from claiming for the compensation you deserve.
If I lose my case, who pays my solicitor?
If I lose my case, who pays my solicitor?
If you don't win your no win fee case you'll pay nothing at all. No win, no fee, no surprises. It really is financially risk free.
Before starting your claim, in most cases we can help you put in place an insurance policy known as ‘After the Event insurance' (ATE). This insurance coverage ensures if you don't win your claim you won't have to pay any legal costs. These costs may include any medical report fees, court fees or barristers' fees.
You won't have to pay any costs upfront to ensure your claim is fully protected.
How much compensation will I receive if my claim is successful?
How much compensation will I receive if my claim is successful?
The final amount of compensation you receive following a successful no win no fee claim in Scotland is dependent on several factors and we can't give a definitive sum. However, your solicitor will ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
- Claim Checker
In just a few minutes you can find out if we think you have a no win no fee claim
What happens when I make a claim?
What happens when I make a claim?
We know that sometimes the hardest step in making a claim is making that first call. But we want you to know that we've helped thousands of people who have been in your position and our trained team of experienced and friendly advisors are on hand 7 days a week to support you.
Contact us on for free, independent advice. If we think you're eligible, we'll put you in touch with a handpicked no win no fee solicitor in Scotland.
Your lawyer will then contact you to learn more about your claim. They'll then start building a case on your behalf and then submit your claim to the defendants. If they accept liability, your solicitor will negotiate a compensation payment to be agreed upon by all parties.
How much could I get from my no win no fee claim?
How much could I get from my no win no fee claim?
The amount of compensation you receive is based on several factors that fall under two main categories: general damages and special damages.
- General damages aim to compensate you for the injury or illness itself. The more severe the injury - both physically and mentally - the greater the general damage sum will be.
- Special damages aim to compensate you for past and future financial losses as a direct result of your illness or injury. It takes into consideration the costs of rehabilitation and therapy, adaptations to the home, and any specialist equipment required.
Our no win no fee compensation calculator can give you an estimate of the amount you could receive. Contact a Scottish no win no fee solicitor today to start your claim.
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Compensation Calculator
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How long might my claim take?
How long might my claim take?
The length of time it takes to settle a claim can vary. If your claim is complex or your injuries are severe and the other side isn't admitting responsibility, this can all have an impact.
However, your no win no fee solicitor will do everything in their power to ensure the process is as stress-free as possible for you.
Are there time limits for making a claim?
Are there time limits for making a claim?
If you're making a personal injury claim (which would be a no win no fee claim in Scotland), the usual time limit is three years from the date of the injury. If your claim does not involve personal injury, the time limit is usually five years.
If you have missed the time limit, the court has the discretion to allow the claim to proceed. So, if you think you have a claim but believe you have exceeded the time limit, contact us today and speak to a no win no fee solicitor in Scotland.
Darren Little was off work for four and a half weeks for his injury
I saw the National Accident Helpline ads on TV and they couldn't have been more helpful.
Can I claim on behalf of someone else?
Can I claim on behalf of someone else?
Yes. You can claim on behalf of someone who is under 16. In Scotland, once a person turns 16, they can then claim for themselves and have three years to do so. In England, the age is 18.
If someone has died as a result of the negligence they experienced, you can lodge a claim on their behalf within three years.
You can also claim on behalf of someone who lacks capacity without worrying about a time limit.
When claiming on behalf of someone, you will be classed as 'Power of Attorney or a Guardianship order'.
Meet the team
Craig Farmer
Operations Team Manager
An experienced Personal Injury Advisor and manager, Craig is responsible for one of our legal support advice teams.
View profileMeet the teamAre there exceptions to making a no win no fee claim?
Are there exceptions to making a no win no fee claim?
There is the odd exception where our no win no fee Scottish lawyers will be unable to handle a claim on a CFA, but we will make it clear before you begin anything.
We will be able to advise you on alternative ways of funding your claim, and you can then make an informed decision on whether you want to continue. We will make you aware of any upfront costs should this be the case.
Are there other ways to fund my claim?
Are there other ways to fund my claim?
Most cases are taken on a no win no fee basis, however, there are a few other ways to fund a claim in Scotland:
- Legal aid: The schemes are administered by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. Eligibility takes into consideration your capital and income. You can check your eligibility here.
- Trade unions: Some memberships include legal protection cover. If you have cover, your solicitor will check the cover includes no win no fee claims in Scotland and can be used. If your claim is successful, you won't have to pay an insurance premium, meaning you'll keep more of your compensation. The TUC website has more information about funding a claim through your Trade Union.
Legal expenses insurance: You may have an insurance policy that covers certain legal expenses. If you think you have an insurance policy that includes legal expenses, you should let your solicitor know and give them your insurer's name and policy number. They can check to see if a no win no fee agreement is covered. If your claim is successful, your insurance company will cover some or all of your solicitor's fees.
Frequently asked questions...
Your solicitor does the majority of the work throughout your claim, including contacting the responsible party and negotiating on your behalf. This leaves you with the time to focus on your recovery.
However, there are a couple of things you can do to help with your case. Your solicitor may need evidence of your accident, such as photographs or witness names. We realise that it can be difficult to gather this information, but having it before you start your claim could help to make the process simpler.
They will also invite you to take part in a free medical assessment. This is nothing to worry about and usually only takes around 20 minutes. The findings from your assessment will be used to support your compensation claim and can also help you to understand how your recovery is going.
Read more about our free medical assessments.
There's no need to visit a solicitor's office in person. If you decide you'd like to go ahead, we pass you onto one of our specialist solicitors for a free initial consultation. We usually transfer you to them on the same call and they'll typically handle your case without you needing to visit them.
All of our solicitors work on a no win no fee basis, which means they agree that if your case is unsuccessful then you won't be charged a penny.
Quite simply, it's no win, no fee, no risk, which means you can make a compensation claim without the worry of being left with a bill you can't afford.
Why make a no win no fee claim with us?
Why make a no win no fee claim with us?
We know that making a claim can sometimes be the furthest thing from your mind. But no win no fee solicitors in Glasgow, Edinburgh and throughout Scotland are here to help you get the compensation you need following an accident that wasn't your fault.
Sometimes, making that first step is the hardest. But our team of trained experts is on hand when you're ready to call. We'll listen with compassion and can advise you on your next steps and whether we think a no win no fee claim in Scotland is possible.
When you choose us, you're choosing a company with years_since years' experience in helping people just like you. When you start your no win no fee claim with a Scottish solicitor, you'll:
- Receive free, impartial and jargon-free advice before you decide to claim.
- Have complete peace of mind that you've picked the right no win no fee Scottish solicitor for you - we'll hand-pick the one who has the expertise for your case.
- Not encounter any unexpected costs or fees. You'll only ever pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation if you're successful.
If you're still unsure about whether you should pursue a no win no fee claim, our lawyers in Scotland can offer you free expert advice when you call us on . We'll let you know if we think you have grounds for a claim, and we'll also check you're eligible for a no win no fee arrangement.
Next steps for making a no win no fee claim
We know how stressed and confused you might be feeling following your injury - especially if it's life-altering. It's why we've made making a no win no fee claim in Scotland as simple as possible.
All you have to do is contact our friendly advisors when you're ready. Either call us on , request a callback or chat to us online and we'll give you tailored advice based on your experience.
Our initial advice is completely free and impartial, so there's really nothing for you to lose and everything for you to gain.