Issues With Legal Aid
One of the main problems of legal aid is that it wasn't available to many of the people who needed it most. First, the government didn't 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 didn't 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.
