What does no win no fee mean in the UK?

No win no fee in the UK refers to a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Your solicitor agrees to handle your case and charges no professional fees if your claim is unsuccessful. If you win, the solicitor charges their base costs plus a success fee — an uplift capped at 25% of your damages for personal injury claims.

What is a Conditional Fee Agreement?

A Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) is a legally binding contract between a client and a solicitor. The solicitor agrees to act on the basis that their fees are conditional on the outcome of the case. CFAs are regulated by the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 and the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO).

Do I have to pay anything if I lose my case in the UK?

For personal injury claims, Qualified One-Way Costs Shifting (QOCS) means you are generally protected from paying the defendant's legal costs if you lose. However, you may still be liable for your own disbursements (medical report fees, court fees) unless covered by After-the-Event (ATE) insurance.

What is the success fee on a no win no fee claim?

The success fee is an uplift that the solicitor can charge on top of their base costs if the case is successful. It can be up to 100% of base costs but for personal injury claims it is capped at 25% of damages awarded for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (general damages) plus past losses.

What types of cases can I bring on a no win no fee basis in the UK?

The most common types include personal injury, road traffic accidents, employer's liability, clinical negligence, industrial disease, housing disrepair, and certain employment tribunal claims. Not all case types are suitable for CFAs — your solicitor will assess the merits before offering one.

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No Win No Fee in the United Kingdom

In the UK, "no win no fee" refers to a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Your solicitor only charges professional fees if your claim succeeds, subject to a regulated success fee.

Personal Injury

Road traffic accidents, slips, trips, and falls

Road Traffic Accidents

RTA portal, OIC, whiplash reform

Employers' Liability

Workplace injuries and occupational disease

Public Liability

Injuries in public places

Medical Negligence

NHS and private treatment errors

Clinical Negligence

Clinical treatment failures

Industrial Disease

Mesothelioma, NIHL, vibration white finger

Employment Law

Unfair dismissal, discrimination, ET claims

Housing Disrepair

Landlord obligations and tenant rights

Fatal Accidents

Fatal Accidents Act 1976 claims

Product Liability

Consumer Protection Act 1987

Financial Mis-selling

PPI, SIPP pensions, car finance

Abuse Claims

Historical abuse, institutional liability

Holiday Sickness

Package holiday illness claims

Data Protection

UK GDPR and data breach claims

Criminal Injuries

CICA scheme for violent crime victims

Dental Negligence

Negligent dental treatment claims

Cosmetic Surgery

Botched cosmetic procedure claims

Professional Negligence

Solicitor, surveyor, accountant negligence

Military Claims

Armed forces injury and MoD claims

No Win No Fee in the United Kingdom

Understanding No Win No Fee

What Is No Win No Fee?

Conditional Fee Agreements

Damages-Based Agreements

After-the-Event Insurance

QOCS Explained

Costs Explained

Legal Glossary

Practice Areas