1. Introduction

2. The cost of taking legal action

3. What does ´no-win, no-fee´ mean?

4. How do I know what I will have to pay?

5. How can I make sure I don´t have to pay a big bill if I lose?

6. How does legal-expenses insurance work?

7. Terms used in legal actions

Basic or normal charges
The hourly rate that most solicitors charge to do your legal work.

Community Legal Service Fund
What used to be called legal aid. This is a fund of government money to help people pay in certain circumstances who can't afford to pay for a legal case themselves.

Conditional-fee agreement
A way of paying for your case, also known as 'no-win, no-fee'.

Counterclaim
When someone sues you in response to you suing them.

Damages
The money you win, either in court, or if you settle out of court.

Disbursements
Expenses paid by the solicitor above and beyond the basic charges, to work on your case. This may include court fees, accident-report fees or expert witnesses' fees, as well as paying for a barrister to argue your case if it goes to court.

Legal-expenses insurance
Insurance taken out to protect against financial loss as a result of going to court.

Lose
When the court dismisses your claim or you stop the claim.

Success fee
The amount that your solicitor will add to your bill if you win your claim.

Win
When the court decides in your favour, or you settle out of court.

8. Further Help

9. About this leaflet

This leaflet is published by the Gurkha Free Legal Advice (LSC). It was written in association with Roger Bolt of Bolt Burdon Kemp.

Leaflet Version: October 2006

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