Prior to 2000, if you were injured and wanted to claim compensation, you could hire a solicitor to represent your case. However, doing so was often costly. You needed to pay for your solicitor's services without knowing whether you would win your claim. In other words, you could very likely lose your case while still having to pay for your lawyer's representation. For those with meager financial resources, they could seek legal aid from the government to help defray the costs.
Below, you'll learn about the issues that plagued legal aid and why it was eventually abolished in 2000. Plus, we'll explain how no win no fee lawyers can still help you recover compensation, even if you lack the money to pay for their services.
Issues With Legal Aid
One of the main problems of legal aid is that it was available to many of the people who needed it most. First, the government did provide monetary aid for seeking claims in every type of personal injury case. It was limited to certain types of cases, mostly in legal areas in which attorneys had the most experience and familiarity.
Second, as with many government-funded social programs, it did not receive the support it needed. As more people began filing claims for personal injuries, the costs to support the legal aid system exploded. This had a ripple effect. The solicitors who received compensation for their services from legal aid were paid less than they felt their services were worth. Eventually, they stopped accepting such cases.
How A No Win No Fee Claim Works
As legal aid was abolished, a new law was passed that paved the way for the no win no fee claim. Under this new system, no win no fee lawyers could retrieve their fee from your opponent (assuming you win your claim). What's more, you're not responsible for paying your solicitor's fees if you don't successfully win your case. That being said, if you wish to file a claim for compensation due to an injury, you may be required to take out an "after the event" (ATE) insurance policy. This covers any expenses that are related to your case (hiring expert witnesses, reports, etc.). Some solicitors will take out this type of insurance policy for you and pay the premiums (especially if they're confident of winning your claim).
Finding No Win No Fee Lawyers
Finding an experienced solicitor to represent you in your no win no fee claim should begin with your personal contacts. Ask friends, family members and acquaintances who have filed similar claims and won. Have them refer you to their solicitor. Once you meet with that person, ask them about their experience and expertise in various types of injury cases. While there are thousands of no win no fee lawyers who can help you, an experienced solicitor can make the difference between receiving your claim or losing.
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Source by Stu Foster
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