Understanding “no win, no fee” agreements
A “no win, no fee” agreement is a type of contract some legal firms use to charge for their services only if a claim succeeds. These agreements can take different forms and may still involve costs or take a percentage of your compensation if your claim is successful. In some cases, how fees are structured can be unclear or hard to understand.
You do not need a solicitor to register
You do not need a solicitor to register or make a claim with IBCA. Registration is free, straightforward and can be completed independently online or with help from the IBCA team if you prefer.
Legal support from IBCA
Once you have started your claim, we will offer you independent legal support paid for by IBCA from one of our approved firms. This support is free to you, and nothing will be taken from your compensation to pay for it. This includes advice on your claim, checking your award, help with reviews and support to share your information with IBCA.
Issues with “no win, no fee” arrangements
Some “no win, no fee” arrangements can take a percentage of your compensation, and the way legal costs are calculated can be complex. You should take time to understand any contract before signing it and consider whether you want to use IBCA-funded legal support instead.
What the Solicitors Regulation Authority says
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) expects solicitors working on infected blood claims to make prospective clients aware of the availability of free legal support from IBCA. The SRA also expects solicitors to provide clear information about any fees and options before a client signs a contract.
If you are unsure or need help, our team can guide you through the process.
Free legal support is available once your claim is underway and is wholly paid for by IBCA.
If you choose legal help from outside IBCA’s approved panel, those firms must agree to our terms before we can pay for your support. If they cannot or will not agree, you can still use them, but IBCA cannot fund that support.