Private funding, Conditional Fees and other Advice Agencies

Cards (31)

  • What can a wealthy person do regarding legal matters?
    Pay for their own solicitor or barrister
  • What types of legal work do firms in London often specialize in?
    High-value commercial law cases
  • What is the average cost of a solicitor outside London?
    £150 an hour
  • What is the typical hourly charge for a big London firm?
    At least £600 an hour
  • Why might consulting a barrister directly be cheaper?
    Barristers have lower business expenses
  • What is one way to fund a court case?
    Legal insurance
  • What do motor insurance policies often cover?
    Legal fees for road accidents
  • What does home insurance typically cover?
    Legal claims over injured visitors
  • What is after the event insurance used for?
    Covering costs if the case is lost
  • What is a conditional fee agreement (CFA)?
    An agreement where fees depend on winning
  • In which cases can CFAs be used?
    All civil cases except family cases
  • What happens if a case is lost under a CFA?
    The client usually pays nothing
  • What is a success fee in a CFA?
    Additional fee if the case is won
  • What is the maximum success fee cap?
    25% of the damages awarded
  • Since when can a winning claimant not claim the success fee back?
    Since 2013
  • What is after the event insurance designed to protect against?
    The risk of paying the other side's costs
  • How have CFAs helped claimants?
    They enable access to justice for many
  • What has LASPO 2012 changed about CFAs?
    Claimants bear more costs after winning
  • What types of matters do other advice agencies usually deal with?
    Civil matters
  • What is the Citizens Advice Bureau known for?
    Providing free general advice
  • When was the Citizens Advice Bureau first set up?
    1939
  • How many people did CAB advise in 2014-2015?
    2.5 million people
  • What do law centres aim to provide?
    Free legal advice in underserved areas
  • When was the first law centre opened?
    1970
  • What has affected law centres' funding?
    Budget cuts by local authorities
  • What do trade unions typically offer their members?
    Free legal advice for work-related problems
  • What is the Bar Pro Bono Unit?
    A service providing free legal advice
  • Who staffs the Bar Pro Bono Unit?
    Volunteer barristers
  • What does the Bar Pro Bono Unit provide?
    Advice and representation for those in need
  • What are the main funding options for legal cases?
    • Private funding (solicitors/barristers)
    • Legal insurance
    • Conditional fee agreements (CFAs)
    • After the event insurance
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of conditional fee agreements (CFAs)?
    Strengths:
    • Access to justice for many
    • No upfront costs if lost

    Weaknesses:
    • Costs borne by winning claimants
    • Success fees can reduce damages received