Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a 'No Win, No Fee' service?
• Will I receive 100% of my compensation?
• What is a conditional fee arrangement?
• Does Claims4Free.co.uk handle cases?
• How long does a case normally take to reach a settlement?
• How much will I receive in compensation?

What is a 'No Win, No Fee' service?

A very popular question as no win no fee has become a buzz word of the industry and does not really convey the bigger picture, or indeed state any restrictions. A short article on no win no fee claims has been written but the short version is that no win no fee is available on most claim types in Scotland, England and Wales. The only reason this would not be offered is if the case is particularly tricky and the solicitor states clearly to you that there is not much chance of winning. A solicitor will still take on a case that he feels has a less than 51% chance of success but only if you pay the legal fees as you go, obviously should the case lose you will lose that invested money. Your solicitor will make it clear well before you sign anything whether there will be the "no win, no fee" arrangement available.
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Will I receive 100% of my compensation?

Today '100% of your compensation' is a very popular catchphrase. Firms that sport this attractive feature aren't offering something you're not already entitled to have. In the large majority of cases the solicitor's fees are paid by the opposition so therefore you WILL receive 100% of your compensation anyway. This DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY APPLY to Criminial Injuries, Medical Negligence, Uninsured or Untraced motorist claims or cases in Scotland. For most of these there is a conditional fee arrangement. Firms that advertise stating that you will always receive 100% of your compensation will only be able to say such if they are turning away people with these types of claims. Your solicitor will always be upfront and tell you whether you will be getting 100% or not.
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What is a conditional fee arrangement?

In the case of most medical or criminal cases (including untraced/uninsured drivers) you will not have the option of the "100% compensation" guarantee you get with other claim types. This is because the compensation is paid by public and government funded organisations who do not pay your legal fees should your claim be successful. In such cases the solicitor will draw up a conditional fee arrangement which details just how much you will have to pay the solicitor should they win your case. Such agreements are normally a percentage of your compensation ranging from 10% to 30% depending on the level of compensation the solicitor expects to obtain for you. They are also generally accompanied by a no win, no fee arrangement. You can normally make claim applications for criminal/uninsured driver compensation on your own without the need for a solicitor but it is always advisable to speak to one to get a feel for whether you might be better off with their services.
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Does Claims4Free.co.uk handle cases?

No. Although all of our staff have been working in the industry for several years and we work with numerous firms across the UK and abroad we currently do not, and have no intention of, running cases ourselves. We do not offer any legal advice either, this site is aimed at providing general information and other helpful services only and we cannot answer direct questions about specific cases.
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How long does a case normally take to reach a settlement?

This is very much dependant on the details of the case. There are two things that can slow down the progress of a personal injury claim: 1. Attributing Blame and 2. Quantum (the amount your solicitor thinks you should receive). If your opponent has already accepted that they are at fault for your injuries and they agree that the amount you are requesting is fair then the claim could be settled out of court within a matter of months (it should be weeks but this is Britain you see!). If your opponent does not accept that they are to blame, or if they think the amount of compensation you are claiming for is unwarranted then the case has to go to court which means waiting for a court date and possibly one or two appearances in court giving evidence. Once blame is established then your opponent has the right to argue the amount of compensation you are due. If your solicitor has 'done their homework' right, they should have come up with a fair amount that the opponent's solicitor will agree with. YOU can slow your own case down by getting greedy. If a solicitor says your case is worth £2,000 and you want £4,000 then the case can drag out as your opponent will refuse to pay out more than your claim is worth.
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How much will I receive in compensation?

There set guidelines as to how much you should receive for your injuries. Your solicitor will look at these amounts and make a judgement based on how severe your injuries are. Other factors that affect the amount of compensation are gender, age, length of time your injuries affected you, length of time your injuries will affect you, employment issues resulting from injuries, financial losses, effects to your social and lifestyle enjoyment, effects to your sex life, if the injuries are visible and many more. Deciding on a fair amount of compensation is not based on how negligent your opponent has been or indeed how much the courts want to punish them, (unlike the USA cases you hear about on the news where people get millions for tripping over a mop). It is based on written guidelines and experienced estimation on your solicitor's part, you cannot just pluck figures out of the air.
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*Disclaimer: Although this site is updated as often as possible the information provided may not accurately reflect the current laws, procedures and/or facilities available to you. To ensure that you get the most up to date information make sure you consult an actual injury solicitor before pursuing any action. The articles on this site are for informational purposes only and are not intended to advise any particular action or inaction. Please read our terms of use for more information.

Claims4Free is regulated by the Ministry of Justice - Registration Number CRM19143.