What you need to know before joining a group claim.
Confused about what no-win, no-fee really means? In this handy guide, we break down the legal jargon so you can see how group litigation funding works before joining a claim.
Join the Claim is not a law firm. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
Why no-win, no-fee funding matters
Taking legal action is a powerful way to hold big companies accountable for their wrongdoing – but solicitor fees can be expensive.
To help make justice accessible, our partner law firms usually work on a no-win, no-fee basis.
These agreements are designed to help you pursue justice without paying any upfront costs. And, if you lose, you usually don’t have to pay anything.*
But there are some things you need to know before you sign up.
*No-win, no-fee reduces financial risk, but it does not remove it entirely. While you usually won’t pay your solicitor’s basic fees if a claim fails, there are situations where other costs can arise — particularly if insurance cover is limited, doesn’t apply, or if you leave a claim after joining. Understanding these risks upfront is an important part of deciding whether a claim is right for you.
No win, no fee makes it possible to bring a legal claim without paying solicitor fees upfront, particularly where large numbers of people have been affected by the same issue.
At Join the Claim, we believe in transparency, so here’s a quick summary of no-win, no-fee:
When you use Join the Claim to sign up to a partner law firm’s group action, all costs are clearly explained before you register.
In this video, we break down how no-win, no-fee funding works in UK group litigation, including what you pay if you win, what happens if you lose, and the risks you should understand before signing any agreement.
A no win, no fee agreement lets you join a claim without paying anything upfront. If your case is successful, your law firm deducts a pre-agreed amount (usually a percentage) from your compensation. If the case is unsuccessful, you don’t pay your solicitor’s fees.
However, some costs may still apply, such as:
Most firms arrange ATE insurance to protect you from having to pay these costs, which means you’re unlikely to pay anything if the case doesn’t succeed. However, you should always check that this is the case before signing, so you can join the claim with confidence.
Fees may also apply if you cancel after the cooling-off period or breach your agreement. All terms should be clearly explained before joining.
These agreements can be a helpful way to pursue a claim. However, in some cases, there may be simpler or cost-free routes available, such as raising a complaint directly with the business involved or using an independent ombudsman.
Understanding your options can help you decide whether joining a group claim is the right step for you.
The two main types of no win, no fee agreements used in group litigation are Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs) and Damages-Based Agreements (DBAs). Both are designed to reduce financial risk for claimants and make legal action more accessible.
A Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) is a popular no-win, no-fee funding method in group litigation. When claimants sign up to a CFA, they don’t have to pay anything upfront. The legal team that represents the claimants will only earn fees if they win the case. If the case is won or settled, the law firm charges a “success fee” in addition to their standard costs.
Often, the law firm combines the success fee and standard costs into one percentage. This means you have a clear idea about how much of your compensation will go toward legal fees, ensuring you’re never surprised by unexpected charges.
A Damages-Based Agreement (DBA) is another no-win, no-fee funding option for group litigation (although it’s not as popular as a CFA).
With a DBA, the law firm’s fees are capped at a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation awarded, meaning you’ll only ever pay a set portion of your damages, up to a maximum of 50% by law. There is no separate success fee with a DBA.
In group actions, especially those run under no-win, no-fee agreements, claimants usually only pay legal fees if their case is successful. This makes group litigation accessible. However, it’s important to understand what you’ll pay if you win, as law firms often charge a success fee.
Law firms charge a success fee if a case results in a win or settlement. Although this fee can seem high, it compensates firms for the risk they take by offering services without any upfront payment. The success fee is typically a percentage of the compensation awarded to claimants and can vary depending on the case.
You pay upfront: £0
You pay (success fee): 20%
Compensation awarded: £10,000
Amount you receive: £8,000
You pay upfront: £0
You pay: 0%
Compensation awarded: £0
Amount you receive: £0
Understanding the costs upfront can help you decide whether the potential compensation is worth the fees and time involved.
If you use Join the Claim to sign up to a law firm, the success fee will be clearly explained before joining.
No-win, no-fee agreements make legal action more accessible – but like any funding option, they have benefits and drawbacks. Before signing up, it’s important to understand both sides so you know exactly what to expect. To help, here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
You don’t pay to join, and nothing as your claim progresses.
You only pay if the case wins.
Makes legal action affordable.
A portion of your compensation goes to the law firm.
If you cancel mid-way or breach terms, you may owe costs.
Check whether ATE insurance is in place to cover you from any unforeseen costs.
ATE insurance is designed to protect you from financial risk if your claim doesn’t succeed. It’s a policy your law firm usually arranges on your behalf.
The ATE premium is often deducted from your compensation if you win, sometimes as part of the overall success fee, meaning it’s not an additional cost – but always check this is the case before you sign up.
ATE insurance reduces the financial risk of joining a group claim and is designed to protect you from facing significant costs if the case doesn’t go your way.
Before joining a group claim, make sure you understand exactly how your funding agreement works. Asking the right questions now will help you avoid surprises later and ensure you’re comfortable with the terms. Here are some key things to check:
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has recently issued a warning to law firms about the way some no-win, no-fee claims are being marketed and managed, particularly in high-volume consumer claims.
The SRA has raised concerns about:
The warning makes clear that firms must take extra care when using the term “no win, no fee”, ensure clients genuinely understand how these arrangements work, and give people opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification before signing.
At Join the Claim, we welcome this focus on transparency.
Our role is to help people understand how group claims work before they join one. That means explaining costs and risks in plain English, signposting you to regulated UK law firms, and encouraging you to take time to read the terms, ask questions, and decide whether a claim is right for you.
We believe no-win, no-fee arrangements can play an important role in access to justice — but only when they are explained clearly, handled responsibly, and entered into with informed consent.
One of the most common questions people ask is: “What will I actually get if the case wins?”
In group litigation, outcomes usually come in the form of compensation – either through a settlement or a court award. This section explains how compensation works and what happens if your case is resolved before trial.
This is the money you may receive if your group litigation claim is successful. Compensation can come in two ways: through a settlement, where the defendant agrees to pay without going to trial, or through damages, which are awarded by the court if the case is won. Compensation is designed to reimburse you for the harm or loss you’ve experienced – whether that’s financial, emotional, or related to your rights as a consumer or employee. Compensation amounts vary depending on the nature of the claim, how many people are involved, and how badly individuals were affected.
A settlement is when the parties in a legal case agree to resolve the dispute without going to a full trial. In group litigation, settlements are common.
Settlements can be reached at any stage of the legal process. For claimants, this means quicker resolution and guaranteed outcomes - without the uncertainty of a trial.
“Damages” is the legal term for the compensation awarded by a court when a claim is successful. In group litigation, this means the judge has found the defendant legally responsible and has ordered them to pay money to affected claimants.
The amount awarded can vary depending on how serious the impact was and how many people are involved in the claim.
If your claim is successful, your law firm will deduct a pre-agreed success fee from your compensation as part of the no win, no fee agreement. This percentage should always be explained upfront, so you know exactly what to expect.
No win, no fee agreements are a popular way to fund group claims because they reduce financial risk and make it easier to take on big companies. But make sure you understand the terms before you sign.
Still have questions? Read the full SRA guidance on what to expect.
At Join the Claim, we make it easy to find out if there’s a group action you can take part in. Our platform lists current claims in plain English, so you can quickly see what the case is about, who it’s against, and whether you might qualify.
If you’re eligible, you can complete a simple online form and we’ll connect you with one of our trusted legal partners.
It’s a safe, straightforward way to take the first step toward compensation.
Yes. Under a genuine no-win, no-fee agreement, you don’t pay anything to join a claim and there are no upfront solicitor fees. This allows people to take part in group claims without having to fund legal costs at the outset.
In most cases, you won’t pay your solicitor’s fees if the claim is unsuccessful. However, other costs can sometimes arise, such as court fees or the other side’s legal costs. This is why most group claims are backed by After-the-Event (ATE) insurance, which is designed to protect you from these risks. It’s important to understand what the insurance does — and doesn’t — cover before you sign.
If the claim succeeds, your law firm will deduct a pre-agreed success fee (usually a percentage of your compensation). This fee should be clearly explained before you join, so you know exactly what to expect and how much you’ll receive.
A success fee is the amount a law firm charges if a claim wins or settles. It reflects the risk the firm takes by running the case without upfront payment. The fee is usually a percentage of compensation and must be agreed with you in advance.
ATE insurance is designed to protect you from certain costs if a claim doesn’t succeed, such as the other side’s legal costs or expert fees. Most group claims include ATE insurance as part of the funding arrangement, but policies vary — so it’s important to check what’s covered and when the policy applies.
Possibly. If you cancel after the cooling-off period or breach the terms of your agreement, you may be responsible for certain costs. Your law firm should explain when this could happen and what those costs might be before you sign.
Most no-win, no-fee agreements include a 14-day cooling-off period, during which you can usually cancel without penalty. This is your chance to read the documents carefully and ask questions.
No. Different claims, law firms and funding arrangements can work in different ways. Success fees, insurance cover and risk levels can vary, which is why it’s important to understand the specific terms of the claim you’re joining.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we’ve made every effort to explain no-win, no-fee terms clearly and accurately, individual circumstances vary, and you should always seek advice from a qualified legal professional before making decisions about a claim.
Join the Claim is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. We work with regulated UK law firms and help connect eligible individuals to group actions managed by authorised legal professionals. Our partner law firms work on a no-win, no-fee basis. You’ll only pay if your claim succeeds. Fees may apply if you cancel after the cooling-off period or breach your agreement. All terms are clearly explained before joining.
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Join the Claim is not a law firm. We connect individuals with top law firms for group action claims, and our service is free to use. While we may receive a fee from the law firms we introduce you to, this will not affect your costs or compensation. We are not responsible for the advice or services provided by these firms. Please note, nothing on this website is legal advice, and while we check claim eligibility, we cannot guarantee a law firm will accept a case.
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