Claims & Compensation2 min check

No Win No Fee Eligibility Checker

Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs) are widely used for personal injury and some clinical negligence cases. Check whether yours is likely to suit one.

Short answer

'No Win No Fee' = Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA): no fee if you lose, capped success fee if you win. For PI claims under £25k, success fee is capped at 25% of damages by law. Plus After-The-Event (ATE) insurance to cover defendant costs if you lose.

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How it works

The solicitor takes the risk of losing in exchange for a success fee (deducted from your damages) if they win. ATE insurance (~£100–£500 premium, paid only if you win) covers the defendant's costs and your disbursements if you lose.

Worked example

£10,000 settlement: solicitor takes 25% success fee (£2,500), ATE premium £200, you receive £7,300. If you lost, you'd pay nothing.

Who should use this

•Anyone with a valid PI, clinical negligence or housing disrepair claim
•Claimants who can't afford private fees upfront
•People who want zero financial risk

Common mistakes

×Signing without reading the success fee %
×Choosing a firm based on TV ads (often refer cases to others — extra fees)
×Not asking what 'win' means under the agreement
×Missing the cooling-off period (14 days) to switch firms

Frequently asked questions

Will I really pay nothing if I lose?▾

Under a properly structured CFA + ATE, yes. Read carefully — some 'partial CFAs' still expose you.

What's the maximum solicitor fee?▾

PI under £25k: 25% of damages (statutory cap). Larger PI: usually negotiated 25–35% of damages including disbursements.

Can I change solicitors?▾

Yes, but a CFA termination may trigger costs — check the agreement first.

Related calculators

Personal Injury →Medical Negligence →Limitation →