No Foal No Fee – What it Means in Legal Terms
In this section, we address common questions about no win, no fee agreements between solicitors and their clients.
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Understanding No Win No Fee* (No Foal No Fee): A Simple Guide
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. No Win No Fee agreements offer a valuable option for individuals seeking fair legal representation. 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).
What is the purpose of no win no fee agreements between solicitor and client?
Having a No Win No Fee agreement in place provides access to legal services for a client who may otherwise not be in a position to pay fees before any case outcome. Risk mitigation through a no win no fee agreement minimizes financial risk for clients, as they only pay if they win their case. And, these agreements are in place regardless of an individual’s financial situation.
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 in making a compensation claim without any upfront legal costs. Common accidents resulting in a no win no fee claim, include:
How to 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.
What happens if I lose my injury case with a no win no fee agreement?
A no win, no fee agreement protects you from paying legal fees to your solicitor if you lose your case. We are required to inform you that in the unlikely event that your case does not settle and is dismissed by the court. The court has the power to award costs to the defendant.
What happens if I win my case with a no win no fee agreement?
If your case is successful, legal fees will apply but often as part of a settlement, your compensation figure will, in most cases cover most of your legal fees.
Is there a catch to no win no fee?
An exception to this rule will arise if it is discovered by the legal team or a court 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.
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 will 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.
The law on No Win No Fee contracts
- While solicitors can only provide estimates at the early stages of an injury case, the NWNF agreement will alleviate concerns about upfront costs for their client.
- There are strict Advertising Restrictions in place so Solicitors in Ireland are prohibited from directly advertising NWNF services.
- The Law Society of Ireland regulates solicitors and ensures adherence to ethical practices. Visit Law Society Website >
- With these regulations in place, solicitors are legally obligated to ensure clear communication about the terms of the agreement, potential costs, and the expected timeline. (see below for Advertising regulations)
Are there any costs for a client with a NWNF agreement?
Even with an NWNF agreement in place, a client may have to cover potential outlay costs, they may be responsible for certain costs like 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.
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.
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 in making a compensation claim without any upfront legal costs. Common accidents resulting in a no win no fee claim, include:
*Solicitors Advertising Regulations Ireland
The regulations forbid the inclusion of any words or phrases which suggest that legal services relating to a compensation claim will be provided on a no win no fee basis as such prohibition is in line with the statutory ban on advertisements which encourage or induce claims for damages for personal injuries. It should be noted that there is no prohibition on solicitors in Ireland undertaking work on a no win no fee basis, and solicitors are perfectly entitled to offer their services on a no win no fee basis, and indeed many solicitors’ firms operate on a no foal, no fee basis. The restriction on solicitors is merely on the content of their advertisements. The general right of solicitors to advertise is severely curtailed when it comes to advertising for personal injuries claims. The Solicitors (Advertising) Regulations, 2002 (S.I. No. 518 of 2002) introduced a ban on advertisements which refer to claims or possible claims for damages for personal injuries, the outcome of such claims or the provision of services by solicitors in conjunction with such claims. The regulations prohibit advertisements which “solicit, encourage or offer any inducement” to make such claims. The regulations specify that the advertisement may include, amongst other things, “factual information on the legal services and areas of law to which the services relate”. The regulations specify that the words “personal injuries” may be included in such factual information in a “list of services”.
Speak to one of our solicitors today
Call: 014537890
Related Pages
No Win No Fee Explained
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What are General Damages?
General Damages in Personal Injury Cases for example; a Traffic Accident, are in place to compensate you for the impact the injury has and will have on your life. This includes pain and suffering mild or severe sustained from the injury. This pain can be physical but also physiological. Read more on Post Traumatic Stress Claims. The amount awarded will also be based on the impact of your injuries on your daily life such as short term or a permanent disability or disfigurement. A further consideration for the compensation end figure includes what areas of the body were temporarily or permanently affected.
Read More about General Damages
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What are Special Damages?
Special Damages consist of your out of pocket expenses such as Loss of earnings, Medical Expenses, Travelling expenses, Care hire etc.
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How to know if I have an Injury Claim
Before accepting your instructions, we will have discussed your case with you and will have advised you of the strengths and weaknesses (if any) of your case. In many cases, it is very clear from the outset that an injured party will succeed in being fully compensated, for example, where the injury results from a motor accident when the client is a passenger, to give but one example. In some cases, the courts apportion liability, i.e. they rule in favour of the Plaintiff but make a deduction from the full value of the case on the basis of the Plaintiff’s “contributory negligence.”
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What if I was partly to Blame for the Accident?
It is important to note that many valid claims are never brought because an injured party feels the accident was his own fault, whereas the primary cause of the accident may well rest with some other party, and the injured party’s own carelessness may only have been a contributing factor. In such cases the courts may apportion Liability. It is therefore always advisable to consult a solicitor concerning any injury resulting from an accident.
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How long does it take to get paid after the Settlement?
Following a settlement or a Court Award, it typically takes about 4 weeks for payment to issue from the major Insurance companies. Local Authorities can take longer, usually about 4 – 8 weeks.
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Who pays out the Compensation Award?
A compensation figure is firstly offered by the defendants Insurance Company. Insurance Companies will often make a low value offer to your solicitor. It’s always the objective of the Insurance company to pay out less money. In Most cases your solicitor will reject this offer when the defendant appears to be liable.
Defendants and their insurance companies will want to avoid the expense of Going to Court.
Once the insurance company realises the defendants liability position, an appropriate settlement offer will be made. If the case is complicated, this can cause delays.
Once an insurance company has admitted liability on behalf of the defendant and agreed to process the claim, this moves quickly. Typically, the claimant will receive their compensation payment (from initial offer to agreed offer) within a few weeks.
What is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury is defined as either a physical injury, disease or illness, or a psychological injury / condition that has been caused by someone else.
If you were injured in an accident due to no fault or your own, Irish law entitles you to claim General Damages compensation for your injuries sustained, Loss of Income, Future Care and possibly other Special Damages. Our personal injury solicitors deal with a wide range of minor to catastrophic and life changing injuries. So, If you have suffered a personal injury and want to make a claim for an accident, contact our team today by phone: Click to call 014537890, email: info@lawline.ie or Tell us about your case.
