);

Clients are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional funding methods.

There is now an expectation that for many types of legal dispute solicitors will accept some of the risk of the case.

By far the most common alternative funding method to the traditional retainer is some form of conditional fee agreement (CFA).

Most solicitors will be familiar, at least in principle, with the concept of the “no win, no fee” agreement.  Most, but not all, such agreements will also allow the solicitor to charge a success fee in the event of a successful outcome.  However, this is but one form of conditional fee agreement and many other versions are available.  These include:

  • No win, discounted hourly rate charged.
  • No win, fixed fee charged.

These can, in turn, be drafted to include a success fee in the event of success.

Some forms of agreement will allow the solicitor to recover from the client any shortfall in the costs recovered from the other side.  Other conditional fee agreements will provide that the solicitor will waive any shortfall in recovery of costs (a “CFA Lite”).

The numerous different types of agreement mean that it is usually possible to create one that is mutually beneficial to both the solicitors and to the client.  The risk is shared, in whole or in part, by the solicitors but, in turn, the solicitors have the opportunity to recover enhanced costs in the event of a successful outcome.

Although conditional fee agreements are well established in the field of personal injury claims, they are potentially suitable for almost all types of dispute (with the exception of criminal and family matters).  They are commonly used in professional negligence claims, contractual disputes and commercial litigation.  Equally, they can be used, for example, in conveyancing work or immigration matters.  Suitably drafted, they can work just as well for defendants as for claimants.

The central problem with conditional fee agreements comes from the risk of defective drafting.  A poorly drafted CFA can be unenforceable against the client.  This means that even in the event of a fully successful outcome, no fees will be recovered from either the client or the opponent.  The law reports over the best part of the last twenty years are littered with examples of conditional fee agreements held to be unenforceable for a seemingly endless number of technical defects.  (Even Law Society-produced “Model Conditional Fee Agreements” have been open to attack.)

Conditional fee agreements provide a wonderful opportunity for law firms but carry significant risk when drafted by those who are not experts in this field.  Even adapting a pre-existing CFA is a recipe for disaster if done by those unfamiliar with the finer points of costs law.

At GWS Costs we can explain the different options available and advise on the most suitable type of conditional fee agreement for your firm’s needs.  We can then draft a conditional fee agreement that you can use with 100% confidence.

Contact us now if you would like to discuss instructing GWS Costs to draft a conditional fee agreement for your firm or wish us to undertake a FREE, NO OBLIGATION, review of your existing retainer documents.

For a free, no obligation discussion about how we can help, simply call us now on 020 3617 1904, email us at info@gws-costs.co.uk or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will be happy to discuss.

Read more:

Jason Kallis, Partner – Keystone Law

GWS Costs are our go to costs consultants.

Louise Plant, Head of Personal Injury – Prettys

GWS Costs were incredibly helpful, responsive, and clear, providing excellent advice on what was a challenging costs/retainer matter.

Eddie Dervish, Partner – Hugh-Jones Solicitors

Efficient service, knowledgeable draftsman who don’t shy away from fighting the clients corner while providing realistic advice.

Jonathan Waters, Partner – Helix Law

GWS Costs is on point and to the point. The best costs lawyers we have used.

Matthew Reach, Partner – Fox Williams

Outstanding service and expertise and very user-friendly.

Graham Lea, Planning Consultant

I first made contact with GWS over fourteen years ago, when I was looking for assistance from a costs expert at 7.30 pm; they were the only ones I found who were still at their desks working.

Graham Lea, Planning Consultant

They have never failed to achieve a good result for my clients in the many cases they have been instructed on over the years. They are brilliant.

Ali Akram, Senior Partner – Lexlaw

We instructed several costs firms until we found GWS Costs. Simon and William are the complete package. They always get to grips with any costs matter and provide high quality advice and guidance.

Martyn Caplan, Partner – Athena Law

GWS Costs has a wealth of technical knowledge when acting to maximise costs recovery.

Jason Kallis, Partner – Keystone Law

There is little or nothing Simon Gibbs doesn’t know about when it comes to costs, and as a specialist cost advocate he always comes through with the right answer.