No Win, No Fee* Explained
No hidden costs. No upfront fees.
Here's everything you need to know about how our No Win, No Fee* service works, and exactly what it means for your claim.
What is No Win, No Fee*?
No Win, No Fee* (formally known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, or CFA) is a legal arrangement that allows you to pursue a compensation claim without paying any solicitor fees upfront.
If your claim is unsuccessful, and you have complied with the terms of the agreement, you will not have to pay your solicitor's legal fees for the work carried out on your behalf.
If your claim is successful, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation. This fee is usually up to 25% (including VAT) of the compensation recovered for your injuries and related losses.
Key Cost Information
Before you sign the agreement, your solicitor will explain how the success fee is calculated, any deductions that may apply, and what compensation you are likely to receive after deductions. There are no hidden charges.
Can I make a claim myself?
Yes. You do not have to use the services of a claims management company to pursue your claim.
Minor road traffic accidents
If you have a minor personal injury claim as a driver or passenger in a road traffic accident that was not your fault, you do not have to use the services of a claims management company to pursue your claim. You may be able to present the claim yourself for free, directly through the Official Injury Claim Portal.
Uninsured or untraced drivers; foreign-registered vehicles or accidents abroad
If you have been involved in a road traffic accident and wish to make a claim against an uninsured or untraced driver; or if the accident was in the UK involving a foreign-registered vehicle; or if the claim involves a road traffic accident abroad, you do not have to use the services of a claims management company to pursue your claim. It may be possible for you to present the claim for free, directly with the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
Criminal injury claims
If you think you have a criminal injury claim, you do not have to use the services of a claims management company to pursue your claim. You can present the claim yourself, for free, directly to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Housing disrepair
If you have a housing disrepair claim, you do not have to use the services of a claims management company to pursue your claim. You may be able to present the claim yourself, for free, directly to the Housing Ombudsman, where your complaint falls within their remit.
Why use a claims management company?
You don't have to use a claims management company to make a claim — but many people prefer to, for reasons like these:
- We handle the admin. Gathering evidence and medical reports, chasing correspondence with insurers or landlords, and obtaining official records such as DVLA searches.
- We match you to a specialist solicitor. Rather than having to find and vet one yourself, your case is referred to a panel firm with relevant experience in your claim type.
- We help you understand what your claim covers. Including losses you might not think to claim for, such as loss of earnings or care costs.
- No upfront cost. Our No Win, No Fee* service means you don't need to pay legal fees before your claim is resolved.
- Less time and stress. We manage your claim from start to finish, so you can focus on your recovery or your situation rather than paperwork.
- Regulatory protection. As an FCA-authorised firm, we offer a 14-day cooling-off period, clear fee disclosures, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you're unhappy with our service.
For straightforward claims, the free routes above work perfectly well on their own. Choosing to work with us is about saving you time and reducing the stress of handling a claim alone — not a promise of a different outcome.
Your questions, answered
What happens if my claim is unsuccessful?
If your claim does not succeed, and you have complied with the terms of the agreement, you will not have to pay your solicitor's legal fees.
For additional peace of mind, we can also arrange After the Event (ATE) insurance. This insurance is designed to help protect you from certain costs that could arise if your claim is unsuccessful.
What happens if my claim is successful?
If your solicitor successfully recovers compensation for you, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation. This fee is usually up to 25% (including VAT) of the compensation recovered for your injuries and related losses.
Before you sign the agreement, your solicitor will explain:
- How the success fee is calculated
- Any deductions that may apply
- What compensation you are likely to receive after deductions
What are termination fees?
You have a 14-day cooling-off period after entering into the agreement. If you decide to cancel your claim after this period, you may be asked to pay for work that has already been carried out on your behalf. This could include:
- Time spent reviewing and progressing your case
- Telephone calls, emails, and written correspondence
- Obtaining official records or information, such as DVLA searches
- Any other reasonable costs incurred while handling your claim
Any potential termination costs will be explained clearly before they are charged.
Why choose National Claims?
While you can make a claim yourself, many people prefer professional representation to help:
- Assess the full value of the claim
- Gather evidence and medical reports
- Deal with insurers and solicitors on your behalf
- Negotiate the best possible settlement
- Reduce the stress of handling the claim alone
We manage your claim from start to finish so you do not have to worry about the process. From the initial assessment through to settlement, our team handles everything, keeping you informed at every stage while you focus on your recovery.
The decision is always yours. Our role is simply to provide clear advice, expert support, and a straightforward No Win, No Fee* service if you choose to proceed with us.
How are panel solicitor payments handled?
We may receive payments for our professional services from our panel solicitor firms. These costs are not passed on to our customers.