NO WIN - NO FEE EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS

A guide to no win - no fee from the employment law experts

Marjon Law, specialist employment lawyers is owner-led by Marc Jones, who is ranked and recommended in legal publications as a leading employment law solicitor, with over 20 years of experience practising solely in employment law.

Marc was head of employment for a firm of solicitors in Hertfordshire who were the pioneers of "no win - no fee" arrangements and has been involved directly and indirectly with hundreds of "no win - no fee" cases.

If you would like advice on "no win - no fee", please contact us.

What is no win - no fee?

A "no win - no fee" arrangement is where the employee (or ex-employee) pays a percentage fee based on the value of the win and if there is no win there is no fee to pay.

A win means a monetary value of either a negotiated settlement or an employment tribunal award.

The "no win - no fee" arrangement between the employee (or ex-employee) and the lawyers is regulated under The Damages-Based Agreements Regulations 2013. Most lawyers offering a "no win - no fee" arrangement will require their clients to sign a damages-based agreement, which will govern the relationship between the lawyer and the client.

There are no additional costs to pay when the "no win - no fee" arrangement ends unless the employee (or ex-employee) is in default or there are disbursements to pay (eg third-party costs).

More importantly, entering into a "no win - no fee" arrangement eliminates the need for the employee (or ex-employee) to worry about paying legal fees, whether the claim is successful or not.

The lawyers are the ones to take on the financial risks when they offer their legal services under a "no win - no fee" arrangement Therefore, unlike conventional funding, the employee (or ex-employee) does not need to pay upfront costs to obtain legal assistance. However, should the employee (or ex-employee) win their case, as explained above, they will have to pay their lawyers a percentage fee based on the value of the win instead of being charged an hourly rate or paying a fixed fee.

What is the percentage fee?

Lawyers can charge a maximum fee of 35% including VAT (approximately 29% plus VAT).

How do lawyers generally assess whether to take a case on a "no win - no fee" basis?

Lawyers will carry out a risk assessment to decide if a "no win - no fee" arrangement can be offered. The general analysis that lawyers adopt is the three "Rs" principle:

risk (the merits of the case)
reward (how much is the case worth)
resources (how long will the case take to progress).

Marjon Law will typically:

have a discussion about the circumstances of your case with you
request relevant documents from you to undertake a risk assessment of your case
once we have your information, we will undertake the three "Rs" analysis of your case. If your case meets certain broad criteria then we will normally be able to offer you a "no win - no fee" arrangement
once we have undertaken the risk assessment of your case, we will make a decision about whether we are able to offer you a "no win - no fee" arrangement, and we will let you know the outcome. If your case does not meet the criteria for funding, then we will let you know and discuss alternative funding options with you
if we can offer you a "no win - no fee" arrangement, we will then send a copy of our engagement letter, terms and conditions and a damages-based agreement to you – you will not be a client of Marjon Law until the documentation has been completed.

Depending on the complexity of the case and the number of documents involved, lawyers may charge to assess whether they are prepared to offer a "no win - no fee" arrangement.

Typical questions about "no win - no fee"

Am I eligible for a "no win - no fee" arrangement with an employment lawyer?

To enlist the services of Marjon Law, you must be at least 18 years old. However, please bear in mind that even if you meet this essential requirement, not all types of employment law cases are guaranteed eligibility for a "no win - no fee" arrangement.

How much compensation can I claim using a "no win - no fee" arrangement with an employment lawyer?

There is no definite answer to this question since the amount of compensation you will receive will depend on several factors. Rest assured that at Marjon Law, specialist employment lawyers, we will do our very best to ensure that you receive the best possible results should you enlist our services.

What is the catch with a "no win - no fee" arrangement with an employment lawyer?

Some employees and ex-employees may be reluctant to enlist the services of a "no win - no fee" lawyer, thinking that there might be a catch. This is understandable since it is rare to find professionals who offer their services for free these days. However, you will be happy to hear that there is no catch with us, as the "no win - no fee" arrangement is governed by a damages-based agreement.

Damages-based agreements are designed to provide everyone in the UK with access to expert legal services and the right to claim compensation regardless of their financial status. Therefore, you can rest assured that no hidden fees are waiting for you, whether your employment claim is successful or not.

What can I expect from a "no win - no fee" employment lawyer?

No matter your status, if Marjon Law agrees to act for you using a damages-based agreement, you will receive the same quality service, as if you had paid an hourly rate or a fixed fee. We will try and settle your case for the most money and in the quickest time.

The material contained in this web page is provided for general purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Appropriate legal advice should be sought for specific circumstances and before action is taken.

Why choose Marjon Law for no win - no fee representation?

We have been involved directly and indirectly with hundreds of employment tribunal claims for clients for over 20 years, many of which involved "no win - no fee".

Our clients' interests are paramount to us.

We ensure that all our clients receive the best possible service.

We will assess your case to see if we can offer you a "no win - no fee" arrangement.