What does No Win No Fee mean, and what is a CFA?
A CFA (Conditional Fee Agreement) is the same thing as a No Win No Fee agreement.

It usually means that you will not be charged a fee by your lawyers or claims firm if you do not win your claim. Still, there might be other costs involved which you are liable for, and it's worth being clear about these at the outset.

If you lose, you might have to pay your opponent's legal costs.

You might have to pay extra expenses such as fees for an expert witness or barrister, if you need one.

Check whether you will be liable for any of these fees, and buy insurance which will cover the cost if your case fails. Your solicitor should advise you and help you get adequate insurance.

If your case is successful, your solicitor's fees and expenses will need to be paid, but these costs, or most of them, should be paid by your opponent.

Check whether your solicitor will charge a "success fee". This compensates the solicitor for the risk of not being paid if you lose. This might be paid by your opponents, or part or all of it might have to come out of your winning compensation. Find out from your solicitor what you can expect.

Before you embark on a claim, get a written estimate from your solicitor for all the costs you might find yourself liable for, and go through anything you don't understand with them. Remember this is an estimate, and if the case drags on or is more complex than it first appears, the costs might rise. The best protection is communication with your solicitor, and having things in writing.

Dispute resolution services

The Financial Ombudsman Service is an independent service which offers dispute resolution between consumers and financial firms. Find out more on the FOS site, as well as how to complain, and a list of FAQs.
Financial Ombudsman Service >

Can I make a claim?
Have you had an accident and suffered injury? Did you need medical attention, or have you had to visit your GP or hospital as a result? If you think that someone else, such as an employer, is partly or wholly to blame, you might be able to claim compensation. Remember, though, that there is a three year time limit on claims, so don't dither for too long before getting some specialist advice on whether or not you have a legitimate claim.

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