5 Things You MUST Ask a No Win No Fee Lawyer Before Hiring Them

No one wants to be in a situation where they must hire a lawyer to fight for their compensation or rights. Unfortunately, that’s life and knowing how to find the right lawyer can get you one step closer to winning your case. Hiring a lawyer can be a challenge in and of itself, though, as you need to get a lawyer whom you trust and feel comfortable with, and, most importantly, they need to have a good track record. So, while you’re in the hiring phase, here are six questions we recommend you ask before deciding.

What is a no-win, no-fee lawyer?

No-win, no-lawyers are individuals who work alone or are part of a law firm that will allow you to hire them based on the contingency that if they win, you have to pay them, but if they don’t, you’re not obligated to pay them for their services. Usually, they would take compensation-orientated cases like personal injury, workplace injuries, car accident claims and other similar cases.

How do they operate?

Generally, the no-win, no-fee means that the lawyer representing you wouldn’t charge you upfront costs for their services but would base their earnings on their ability to win your case. If this happens, they will then take a portion of the amount you’re compensated. This usually ends up being a 50/50 split, depending on the lawyer you hire.  

One thing to remember is that while you may not have to pay the lawyer for their hourly services, you will be required to pay the disbursement fees, which are other costs involved in going to court, such as court fees, expert witness fees, and related expenses.

Questions you should ask before hiring a lawyer

As you meet with potential lawyers to find the right fit for you, we encourage you to ask them and yourself the following questions:

1.   How much experience do you have?

Experience is an important quality for your lawyer to have. Lawyers who are experienced in similar cases to yours know the right questions to ask, the right defence approach, and how the proceedings in court go so they’ll be better prepared. While we don’t want to cut some lawyers off at the knees, we would encourage you to find a lawyer who has over 5 years of experience, at least over 10, which would be even better.

2.   Will you handle my case personally or hand it off

Large law firms and lawyers often accept a case only to hand it off to one of their associates once the contract is signed. While having a firm with more resources does work towards your benefit, you want to know that the lawyer you signed on with has been upfront about their commitment to you and your case.

3.   (Personal question) How do you feel about the lawyer you’re meeting with?

This is a question you need to ask yourself. Do you feel comfortable with the lawyer? Be careful here because some lawyers might be great salesmen but struggle to close. Ideally, your lawyer should have the reputation to back them as good lawyers while having decent people skills that put you at ease and make you feel comfortable.

4.   Do they communicate well?

Communication is one of the most important skills for a lawyer to have. If they can’t effectively communicate with you, how would they communicate a compelling defence for you in front of the judge, prosecutor, or opposing counsel? Likewise, good communication skills also have their hand in helping lawyers negotiate on your behalf.

A good way to tell whether a lawyer has good communication skills is to see how well they explain potential defence strategies and their services. The clearer and easier they are to understand, the better. 

5.   Are their fees laid out

Finally, are they transparent about their fee structure? We’ve already discussed how no-win, no-fee lawyers earn their compensation, but is this explained to you and any other fees you may incur during the case? If not, ask about them. If they give you a broad answer and avoid the specifics, you may want to look for another lawyer.

Find the right no-win, no-fee lawyer

No-win, no-fee lawyers can be a massive help if you’re ever in a sticky situation. One benefit of hiring them is that their incentives are aligned with yours. If you win, so do they. Contact Smiths Lawyers to get a free quote from a no-win, no, no-fee lawyer or for a consultation for your case. They’ll be able to tell you if your case is strong enough to pursue and how you can go about it.

Final Thoughts

No-win, no-fee lawyers can be extremely helpful and convenient if you need to fight for compensation for something and don’t have the finances to do it. Ideally, you should want a lawyer with experience in similar cases. One whom you feel comfortable with and who practices the necessary skills and characteristics you’re looking for. To find that lawyer, ask the questions above.