There are many options, but four main types:

(a) Public funding (Legal Aid)

(b) Private funding

(c) ‘No Win, No Fee’ arrangements.

(d) Legal Expenses Insurance

Costs & Disbursements

Solicitors will bill clients on an hourly basis. The ultimate cost of the case will be determined by the amount of work required, with a complex case costing more than an easy case. The majority of child abuse cases are complex, involving inquiries into documents and incidents stretching back many years. This can make bringing cases to court highly expensive.

In addition to the solicitor's fees, every case will normally contain expert fees from psychiatrists, doctors, barristers, and sometimes other expert specialists. Lawyers often call these disbursements,

Loser pays?

In most cases, the losing party is required to pay the victorious side's legal fees. In very few cases, which are too technical to explain in this article, a Claimant who brings a case and loses will be ordered to pay the Defendant's legal costs in addition to his/her own legal costs.

It is critical that anyone considering going to court is well aware of the costs and consequences.

Legal Aid or Alternative

Public financing / Legal Aid is currently available for any child abuse compensation claim when the claimant is financially entitled and the case has legal validity. To find if you qualify financially, see the Government Legal Aid page for further information.

If a person does not qualify for Legal Aid, the solicitor will evaluate whether it is suitable to engage into a 'Conditional Fee Agreement' (a 'CFA'), also known as a 'No Win, No Fee' arrangement.

It is critical that the terms of the agreement be completely understood before engaging into such an agreement. Simply put, if the case was lost, the Claimant would not, under current law, have to pay his or her solicitor's fees. They may still have to pay for expert fees, barrister fees, and possibly their opponent's legal fees.

Insurance

It is occasionally desirable to take out an insurance policy when entering into a conditional fee arrangement with the solicitor to cover the possibility of paying the opponent's charges and expenses that cannot be recovered. The technique is seldom as simple as it may appear.

Existing insurance policies for house contents, cars, health, and so on may incorporate legal coverage for specific sorts of cases. It would be quite unusual to find coverage for child abuse claims. But, it is worth examining any insurance you have to see if the definition of cover includes abuse advice.

Our Bonus if we win or "No Win No Fee"

We do not charge for initial advice, which is COMPLETELY FREE. Click the link in the header to fill out our form.

We are permitted to collect a success fee, which by law cannot be more than 25% of any compensation recovered, to compensate us for taking the risk of losing and not being paid. These types of cases are quite risky.

This bonus arrangement can be used in not only Civil Litigation, but also Tribunal type cases such as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme cases where an award of compensation is paid if we win.

Private Funding

The other option is to pay the solicitor on a case-by-case basis as the case progresses. This will entail paying the solicitor on a regular basis when a bill for work done is sent, or in advance of certain charges, such as medical reports or barrister's fees.

The preceding is simply a summary; it is not intended to be legal advice, which should be sought individually in each case.

I can provide discreet and expert advice on the merits and potential dangers of filing a compensation claim.