No Win No Fee Explained
What Does No Win No Fee* mean for your Personal Injury Case?
A No Win No Fee arrangement between a client seeking compensation for a personal injury and a solicitor means that the solicitor / law firm will not charge for their legal services if the client’s case is unsuccessful. These agreements make it possible for individuals seeking fair legal representation.
Ultimate Guide to No Win No Fee Agreements in Ireland
This is a phrase you probably hear about all the time. In personal injury law, it was intended to give you, a member of the general public a fighting chance when it comes to dealing with big business like insurance companies for example. No Win No Fee (NWNF) agreements are common among Irish solicitors. This arrangement means that a solicitor will not charge for their legal services if a client’s case is unsuccessful. These agreements offer a valuable option for individuals seeking fair legal representation.
Under this agreement, solicitors cover the upfront costs of litigation, such as medical reports and court fees, enabling clients without sufficient funds to pursue their cases. Although the Law Society prohibits solicitors in Ireland from advertising these services, clients should always verify directly with their chosen solicitor whether they operate on a “No Win No Fee” basis and ensure that this agreement is documented in writing.
Understanding No Win No Fee* (No Foal No Fee):
By understanding the terms, potential costs, and the importance of choosing a reputable solicitor, clients can make informed decisions and pursue a personal injury claim with confidence. Here are some things to know about no win no fee agreements (also known as no foal, no fee).
On this page, we provide you with the ultimate guide to no-win, no-fee agreements and address common questions about them between solicitors and their clients. See our FAQ section below.
Solicitors Advertising Regulations
The Law Society has strict rules in place regarding advertising and these prohibit any solicitor from advertising their services as no win no fee. It is important that you clarify with your solicitors before instructing them that they do operate on a no win no fee basis and ensure that this is also put in writing to you.
The law on No Win No Fee contracts
FAQs – No Win No Fee client and solicitor agreements
What is the purpose of no-win-no-fee agreements between solicitor and client?
Having a No Win No Fee agreement provides access to legal services for clients who may otherwise be unable to pay fees before a case is resolved. Risk mitigation through a No-Win-No-Fee agreement minimises financial risk for clients, as they pay only if they win their case. These agreements are available regardless of an individual’s financial situation.
What are the rules for a No Win No Fee agreement?
In Irish law, No Win No Fee agreements between solicitors and clients are lawful. A No Win No Fee agreement means a solicitor cannot charge for their legal services unless they achieve a successful outcome in the case. The case can be settled successfully either outside of court or through a judge’s ruling.
What types of claims are on a no win no fee basis?
No-win, no-fee agreements cover a variety of cases, typically involving some form of injury. Whether you were injured at work, in a public place, or in a road traffic accident, our solicitors will assist you with a compensation claim without any upfront legal costs. Common accidents that result in a no-win, no-fee claim include: Accidents at Work, Road Traffic Accidents, Bicycle / E-Scooter Accidents, Accidents in Public Places, Medical Negligence Claims, Back / Head Injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries and more.
What happens if I lose, my injury case?
A no-win-no-fee agreement protects you from paying your solicitor’s legal fees if you lose your case. However, we must point out that if your claim is dismissed by a court, the judge may order that the defendant’s costs be paid by you. In practice, very few cases reach a court hearing. The vast majority are settled without going to court or on the morning of the hearing.
What happens if I win my case?
If your case is successful, legal fees will apply, but in most cases, your compensation will cover most of your legal fees, often as part of a settlement.
Frequently asked questions
Legal Fees
How much will my case cost?
Legal fees will always vary depending on the complexity of the injury case. We provide our clients with an estimate of costs at an early stage of the case once we have a clear understanding of the accident type and the injuries sustained.
Safety of using a No Win No Fee Solicitor
Is it safe to use a No Win No Fee Solicitor?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to have a no win no fee agreement with your solicitor, as The Law Society are the regulatory body in Ireland for any practicing Law firm and they have strict rules in place for law firms to adhere to. See Law Society Regulations below. These types of agreements between solicitors and clients are attractive from the client’s perspective, as they effectively provide a completely free legal service in the event that the claim fails (subject to the proviso that a claimant may be held liable for the Defendant’s costs in the event that a claim is dismissed in Court, but this is a very rare outcome).
Terms and Conditions of a No Win No Fee agreement
What are the terms and conditions of a No Win No Fee Solicitor?
It’s important you clarify the terms of your No Win No Fee Agreement with your solicitor as these conditions may vary from law firm to law firm. In some unsuccessful cases, although the solicitor cannot charge any legal fees, there may be outlay costs that the client will be liable for, such as medical reports, court stamp duty, etc. At Synnott Lawline, Once you Instruct us to take on your case, we ensure your agreement is in place in writing.
Starting a case on a no-win-no-fee basis
How do I know if I can claim on a no-win, no-fee basis?
Your solicitor will inform you during the first consultation if they can offer a No Win No Fee Agreement following the evaluation of your case.
Any catches to a no-win-no-fee agreement?
Is there a catch to no-win-no-fee?
An exception to this rule arises if the legal team or a court discovers that a client acted dishonestly or maliciously while making the claim, or if the client is found to be in breach of the agreement with the solicitor. In such cases, the client may be liable for costs. At Synnott Lawline, we always ensure that you have all the facts from the very beginning of your case.
The legalities of engaging with a No Win No Fee Solicitor
Is it safe and legal to engage with a No Win No Fee Solicitor?
Yes, it is legal and safe to enter into a no-win, no-fee arrangement with a solicitor. Many solicitors in Ireland operate in this way. No-win, no-fee agreements can vary between solicitors. Therefore, it is important to discuss all aspects of your case with your solicitor before proceeding.
Client costs for NWNF agreements
Are there any costs for a client with a NWNF agreement?
Even with an NWNF agreement in place, a client may still have to cover potential outlay costs and may be responsible for certain costs, such as stamp duty or medical expenses. In some cases, the client may be responsible for the other party’s legal costs. However, your solicitor will keep you informed about your case’s progress at all stages.
Success fees
Who pays the success fee?
There is no success fee as such. In most cases, the bulk of a claimant’s legal costs are payable by the other side, but there is usually a shortfall in recoverable costs, which the claimant must pay.
DAVID SYNNOTT EXPLAINS NO WIN NO FEE
Principal Solicitor, David Synnott, explains clearly what no-win no-fee means for clients
No Win No Fee* – A term for a legal agreement to describe how solicitors take on a case where they pay the costs of the litigation. In the vast majority of cases, clients would not be in a position to fund the cost of litigation and thus it is quite a common practice for specialised personal injury firms to operate on a “no win no fee” basis.
Get our Free Injury Claims Guide – Helping you understand the Claims Process
We developed this Injury Claims Booklet to give our clients an understanding of the personal injury claims process. During the course of your injury case, we will make reference to the relevant sections of this guide by way of explanation of the particular aspect of your claim. The guide includes information about: The Claims Process, How to know if you have a case, Costs, Litigation, Outlay, Going to Court, The Injuries Resolution Board, What you will be awarded and much more about the overall claims process.
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97% success rate for our client’s compensation claims
At Synnott Lawline, our team is dedicated to taking every possible step to ensure that our clients do not face financial difficulties while their injury cases are ongoing. Choosing a no win, no fee claim with our legal experts is the best way to access the specialised treatment and rehabilitation you need, without the worry of accumulating legal costs. We are one of Ireland’s leading personal injury claims firms, we will help you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Personal Injuries Legal Services – Looking after clients for over 35 years
We are one of Ireland’s leading nationwide personal injury law firms and have been providing expert legal advice on injury claims, including road accidents, claims for injuries in public and private places, workplace accidents, and all other personal injury types. Our team is dedicated to providing our clients with the very best level of service in a friendly and efficient manner for all aspects of injury claims.
Got a question about Starting a Claim for Personal Injury or Medical Negligence? Send us a message!
If you’ve suffered a personal injury through no fault of your own, the path to fair compensation can be daunting. Our experienced solicitors have successfully represented clients across Ireland, offering compassionate, expert advice. Contact us confidentially any day of the week by call, email, text, or contact form, and a solicitor will respond. We’re here to help 7 days a week.
Road Traffic Accidents
If you were injured in a road accident due to another party’s fault, you may be eligible for compensation. Our legal team will guide you through the claims process.
Personal Injury Accidents
Injury claims involving accidents in public places, leisure centres, and workplaces are common. We will assist you in determining who is legally responsible and secure the compensation you deserve.
Accidents at Work
Common workplace accidents arise from heavy lifting, carrying, slipping, tripping, falling objects, tools, machinery or repetitive tasks. Employers have a duty to provide a safe work environment. If your injuries were caused in work you may be eligible to seek compensation.
No Win No Fee Explained
No Win No Fee – The legal term used to describe how solicitors take on a case where they pay the costs of the litigation. Irish Law Firms who operate on this basis pay for the medical reports, expert fees and other legal costs associated with your injury case. It’s common for specialised personal injury firms to operate on a “no win no fee” basis. Solicitors are not allowed to advertise no win no fee services.
Start your injury case
If you’ve suffered injury, loss, damage or expense as a result of another party’s negligent act or omission, you may be entitled to claim from that party or their insurers. Starting a case with our legal team is a seamless process. Subject to strict exceptions, you have two years from the date of your accident to commence legal proceedings. A different claims policy applies to children under 18.
What can I claim for?
Personal Injury Claim amounts are difficult to value at the outset of any case, but the value of your case in terms of General Damages will depend on the severity of the injury, the pain, suffering and inconvenience caused by the length of time to recover and the prognosis for the future. In addition, you are entitled to claim for all financial losses and expenses sustained by you as a result of the accident.
Talk to a Solicitor today
Contact us 7 days a week by phone, email or fill out the tell us about your case form and a solicitor will contact you without delay. We are Here to Help.
