If you’ve been harmed by a person or organisation, then you might be tempted to take legal action. This harm might take the form of a personal injury, an unexpected bill, or a defamatory newspaper article. Whatever wrong you’re seeking to right, your prospects are sure to be improved by enlisting the right legal expertise.
However, you might baulk at the idea of paying for legal action. After all, costs can quickly escalate, especially if the case is complex or contentious. Let’s take a look at a few ways to fund a legal claim.
Understanding Funding Options for Legal Claims
In some cases, a lawyer might agree to act on your behalf on a conditional fee agreement – better known as a ‘no-win, no-fee’ agreement. In this case, you’ll only pay for the lawyer if you win the case. The lawyer will decide at the outset whether there’s any merit to the case. If there’s a reasonable chance of success, then they’ll proceed with the case. This kind of arrangement is popular in well-travelled areas of law, where the likely outcome of any case is easy to predict.
No-win, no-fee medical negligence solicitors are reasonably common, and offer access to justice even for those who can’t pay for solicitors up front.
Other kinds of agreement include damages-based agreements, whereby a solicitor’s fee is based on a percentage of the damages recovered, and fixed-fee agreements, which are popular in arenas where costs are easily predicted (such as conveyancing).
Assessing Eligibility for Legal Aid
Some people might be eligible for what’s called legal aid. This is paid for by the government in order to protect individuals against serious harm and abuse, homelessness, discrimination, and the Human Rights Act.
To be eligible, you’ll need to demonstrate that you can’t afford to pay for legal representation yourself, and that your problem is serious. There are a few situations so serious that your personal finances won’t be considered – these often involve children.
Exploring Alternative Legal Support Services
If you aren’t eligible for legal aid, you can still benefit from free advice, thanks to a number of specialised charities and other organisations. These include the Law Centres Network, AdviceNow, and Citizens Advice.
Steps to Take When Considering Legal Action
Before taking legal action, you’ll want to consider a few specific steps. The first one is to gather evidence that might support your case. This might mean photos, correspondence, and video testimony. Recruit a specialised solicitor, and, if necessary, consider settling the dispute out of court – or through the responsible organisation’s internal complaints procedures.