What Does ‘No Win No Fee’ Really Mean? Understanding the Agreement
In this article, we explain what a ‘No Win No Fee’ solicitor agreement actually involves and break down the costs you might face when pursuing a personal injury claim.
There’s often a lot of confusion about how ‘No Win No Fee’ (also known as Conditional Fee Agreements) work. Some people assume it means you won’t pay anything at all, while others believe the solicitor covers all expenses upfront. Another common misunderstanding is that your solicitor will simply take 25% of your compensation—but the reality is more nuanced.
To make it clearer, we’ll look at the two main elements involved: your solicitor’s basic legal charges and the success fee.
How Do No Win No Fee Agreements Work?
Under a No Win No Fee agreement, your solicitor typically charges an hourly rate for the time spent on your case—but only if the claim is successful. If your case is not successful, you won’t be required to pay these legal fees, which is a key benefit of this arrangement.
This approach is commonly used in all types of personal injury claims, including workplace accidents and road traffic accidents. When your claim succeeds, the solicitor calculates their basic charges based on the time worked and their hourly rate. A success fee is then added on top of those charges. You then owe the total amount subject to an overall costs cap.
Your Two Main Cost Liabilities
If you win your case, there are two primary cost components:
- Basic charges for your solicitor’s time (usually hourly)
- A success fee, capped by law
The success fee is limited to no more than 100% of the basic legal costs and cannot exceed 25% of your compensation. Many solicitors will apply this maximum success fee.
The Success Fee should not be confused with an overall cap on your liability for your own legal costs. This can be more than 25% and often is. Br careful to check this if a firm is offering a zero percentage Success Fee.
However, some firms—like Stonehewer Moss—offer a lower than 25% deduction or overall costs cap in qualifying cases.
Are Success Fees Always Necessary?
Not necessarily. Many clients accept the 25% Success Fee as standard, but in certain circumstances—especially when a case settles quickly or is particularly high in value—this percentage can seem disproportionate to the amount of legal work involved.
That’s why Stonehewer Moss offers reduced fee liability options. For example, in serious injury claims, where the compensation awarded is often significantly higher, we may cap your liability for fees at a much lower percentage, meaning you keep more of your damages. This can make a huge difference in the final amount you receive.
Why Choose Stonehewer Moss?
We’re proud to offer a fairer, more transparent fee structure. In many cases, our clients pay no success fee whatsoever. Even where a deduction from your compensation applies, we cap your liability for legal costs from 18% of compensation (in some liability admitted cases) — well below the industry standard.
Whether you’re pursuing a straightforward accident claim or a complex medical negligence case, our goal is to ensure you keep as much of your compensation as possible. We’ll always be upfront about fees and help you understand exactly what to expect.
Speak to a Specialist Solicitor Today
At Stonehewer Moss, we believe in straight-talking legal advice with no hidden charges. If you’ve suffered an injury and want to explore a No Win No Fee claim, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation to explain your options clearly. We’ll help you decide whether this type of agreement is right for your situation.
We’re a trusted, APIl accredited firm specialising in injury claims—and we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
A ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), means you won’t have to pay your solicitor’s legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. If you win, the solicitor takes a pre-agreed fee, often capped, from your compensation.
Typically, if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t be liable for your solicitor’s fees. However, you might still be responsible for certain disbursements or third-party costs unless you’re covered by legal expenses insurance or a similar arrangement.
No, not always. While many solicitors take up to 25% or more of your compensation, Stonehewer Moss offers significantly lower fees—you could pay a much lower percentage, and keep 82% of your compensation. Learn more on our serious injury claims fee page.
Yes, they are commonly used for a wide range of claims, including road traffic accidents, workplace injuries, medical negligence, and slips or trips. Each case is assessed individually to determine eligibility.
Yes, you can change solicitors if you’re not satisfied with your current representation. It’s important to understand any obligations under your existing agreement, especially if legal work has already started. Learn more about your options on our changing solicitors page.
