No Win No Fee Military Claims Explained

What Is No Win, No Fee?

No Win, No Fee (formally known as a Conditional Fee Agreement or CFA) is a funding arrangement where your solicitor agrees to handle your case without requiring any upfront payment. If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not pay your solicitor's legal fees. This removes the financial risk of bringing a claim.

How Does a Conditional Fee Agreement Work?

Under a CFA, your solicitor takes on the risk of your case. If the claim succeeds, the solicitor's fees are recovered from the compensation awarded. A 'success fee' — a percentage uplift on the solicitor's standard fees — is also payable from the compensation. The success fee is capped by law at 25% of the general damages and past financial losses awarded.

What Costs Are Covered?

A No Win, No Fee agreement typically covers:

• Solicitor's professional fees • Court fees (if proceedings are issued) • Expert medical report fees • Barrister's fees (if counsel is instructed)

After-the-Event (ATE) insurance is usually arranged to cover the risk of paying the opponent's costs if the claim is unsuccessful. The premium for this insurance is typically payable from the compensation if the claim succeeds.

What Do I Pay If I Win?

If your claim succeeds, the deductions from your compensation typically include the solicitor's success fee (capped at 25% of relevant damages) and any ATE insurance premium. The majority of your compensation award remains yours. Your solicitor will explain the exact terms before you sign the CFA.

What Do I Pay If I Lose?

If your claim is unsuccessful under a CFA, you do not pay your solicitor's fees. With ATE insurance in place, you are also protected from paying the opponent's legal costs. This means there is no financial risk to you in pursuing a legitimate claim.