What have been people's experiences with No Win No Fee solicitors?

Robinred

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, so please move it if that's appropriate...

Anyway, I want to take legal action against an individual or possibly a group. It is a sensitive case and I want to get a good legal service. I am not expecting to be awarded much in damages but it is the principle of the thing, if you know what I mean.

I was wondering what experiences people have had with no win no fee solicitors? I am torn because on the one hand I want my local legal firm who I know and trust, and they say that the claim is valid and would probably win, on the other hand it would be galling if we lost and then I had to pay my own and the other side's expenses. If the no win no fee ones can be good then it would take a weight off my shoulders.

Thanks for reading, Robinred

Donegal_Paul

I do hope someone will answer you mate as Im looking at the same situation, was involved in an accident where someone came out of a side street and knocked me off my scooter ( I was on main road) and the police didnt bother prosecuting.

This was 4 years ago and its recently been playing on my mind, rang up the Collision unit to find if i want a copy of the report I need to pay a fee, I could understand a tenner but no, it's £83.50!!

Robinred

Hi Donegal Paul,

My solicitor told me that I have got 5 years from when the incident happened in which to make a claim, after that time I can't claim. If this is the same for you then I guess you've got one year if you want to take action.

£85 is a joke! If you won your claim you might be able to claim that as an expense though.

Robinred

jjj1980

I'm currently using Emsleys Solicitors on a no win, no fee service regarding a car accident I was injured in in 2008. They seem very on the ball and are really helpful.

I was passed to them after calling National Accident Helpline.

lxlgizmolxl

Check all insurance policies you hold before you take any action, I used my house insurance to fight a legal case, covered all solicitor fees at £180 per hour +VAT! :j

Babs

Robinred

Thankyou, unfortunately the incident happened when I was renting and I'm not covered for it, but it's a good tip :T

Fondue_2

Robinred wrote: »

Anyway, I want to take legal action against an individual or possibly a group. It is a sensitive case and I want to get a good legal service. I am not expecting to be awarded much in damages but it is the principle of the thing, if you know what I mean.

I was wondering what experiences people have had with no win no fee solicitors? I am torn because on the one hand I want my local legal firm who I know and trust, and they say that the claim is valid and would probably win, on the other hand it would be galling if we lost and then I had to pay my own and the other side's expenses. If the no win no fee ones can be good then it would take a weight off my shoulders.

'No win no fee' isn't a type of solicitor, it's a method of funding a case. You're not the only person to be confused by this, thanks mainly to the dreadful marketing of claims management companies (and some firms of solicitors as well).

It may well be that your local, trusted solicitors can pursue the claim for you on a no win no fee agreement. You should ensure that they are sufficiently specialised in the relevant area of litigation before you instruct them though. Alternatively, you can use the Law Society website to search for a solicitor who is relatively local to you with the appropriate expertise. Or try googling the relevant area of law and look for a firm with a clear, professional website (and there is nothing to stop you shopping around - no-one will charge for an initial phone call). The only difficulty you may have, if you are suing for principle rather than damages, is proportionality. The Courts take a very cost v benefit approach to litigation these days. If your case will be expensive to bring, and you won't get a lot in return, then there is a risk that your costs would be capped, which won't make it particularly appealing to a solicitor, particularly one acting on a no win no fee basis.

Donegal_Paul wrote: »

I do hope someone will answer you mate as Im looking at the same situation, was involved in an accident where someone came out of a side street and knocked me off my scooter ( I was on main road) and the police didnt bother prosecuting.

This was 4 years ago and its recently been playing on my mind, rang up the Collision unit to find if i want a copy of the report I need to pay a fee, I could understand a tenner but no, it's £83.50!!

Unfortunately, if you're planning to sue for personal injuries, you're a year out of time (3 year limitation).

Robinred

That is so helpful Fondue thankyou!:T:T:T