Understanding the Difference Between Solicitors’ Legal Costs and the Success Fee in a Personal Injury Claim

At Hopkins Solicitors, we understand that one of the biggest concerns clients have when starting a personal injury claim is: “How much will it cost me?” The process can feel daunting, and legal terminology around fees often makes it more confusing. That’s why we want to break it down clearly for you and explain the difference between solicitors’ legal costs and the success fee– two terms you’ll often hear during your claim.

We pride ourselves on transparency. From the moment you contact us, we will explain the funding of your claim, what costs might arise, and how they are handled, so you know exactly what to expect. This article aims to give you a comprehensive understanding of how personal injury claim costs work, and how Hopkins Solicitors protects you from financial risk.

What Are Solicitors’ Legal Costs?

Solicitors’ legal costs are the professional fees charged for the work we do on your behalf. In a personal injury claim, this can cover a wide range of services, including:

• Taking detailed instructions from you about your accident, injuries, and how your life has been affected.
• Collecting and reviewing your medical records.
• Arranging independent medical examinations to provide evidence for your claim.
• Gathering supporting evidence such as witness statements, accident reports, and CCTV footage.
• Communicating and negotiating with the defendant’s insurers and solicitors.
• Advising you on settlement offers and whether they represent fair compensation.
• Preparing your case for court if a settlement cannot be reached.

These legal costs represent the time, skill, and expertise required to run your case properly. The good news is that in the majority of successful personal injury claims, the defendant (or more usually their insurer) will pay your legal costs in addition to your compensation. That means you are not directly out of pocket for the significant work that goes into running your case.

What Is the Success Fee?

The success fee is different from solicitors’ legal costs. It is the deduction taken from your compensation if your claim is successful. This fee is capped by law at 25% of your compensation (excluding future losses and the cost of any ongoing care or treatment).

The reason solicitors charge a success fee is because of the risk involved in running personal injury cases. Most clients use a “No Win, No Fee” agreement, which means if your claim is unsuccessful, you don’t pay us anything for the work we’ve done. The success fee allows us to take on that risk, making justice accessible to everyone, regardless of financial situation.

At Hopkins, we believe in being upfront about the success fee from the very beginning. We will give you clear examples of how much might be deducted depending on the outcome, so you are never faced with unexpected surprises when your case concludes.

An Example of How Costs and the Success Fee Work

Imagine you receive £10,000 in compensation for your injuries and losses.

• The defendant’s insurer would pay your solicitors’ legal costs directly to us.
• Up to 25% of your compensation (in this example, £2,500) would be deducted as a success fee.
• You would receive the remaining £7,500 in your pocket.

• If your case is unsuccessful, you would pay nothing towards our legal costs. That is the reassurance of a No Win, No Fee agreement.

Why Do Solicitors Charge a Success Fee?

The success fee exists because not all claims succeed. Solicitors take on the risk of investigating and pursuing cases that may not result in compensation. By working this way, we make sure that clients who cannot afford to pay upfront fees can still access high-quality legal advice and representation.

At Hopkins, we carefully assess the merits of each case before taking it on. If we believe you have a strong chance of success, we will support you every step of the way. But even in the unlikely event your case doesn’t succeed, you can rest assured you won’t face a bill from us.

Other Costs You Might Hear About

Sometimes, clients also hear terms like disbursements or ATE insurance. Here’s what they mean:

• Disbursements are the additional expenses needed to run your case, such as medical report fees, expert witness reports, or court fees. At Hopkins, we usually pay these on your behalf during the case, so you don’t have to worry about finding money upfront.
• ATE Insurance (After the Event Insurance) protects you if your claim is unsuccessful and you are ordered to pay the other side’s costs. We will arrange this for you if it’s needed, and we’ll always explain how it works before you agree to it.

These are separate from your solicitors’ legal costs and the success fee, but they are part of ensuring you are fully protected throughout the claims process.

Transparency at Hopkins Solicitors

We know that cost is one of the biggest worries clients have when considering a personal injury claim. At Hopkins, we address this head-on:

• We explain everything at the start in plain English, not legal jargon.
• We provide written examples showing how deductions work.
• We are honest about the risks and costs involved, so you can make an informed decision.
• We keep you updated throughout, so you always know where you stand.

Our aim is simple: to take away the stress and confusion so you can focus on your recovery.

Why Clients Trust Hopkins Solicitors

Hopkins Solicitors has been serving clients across Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas for decades. Our Personal Injury Team is well-known for its compassionate, straightforward approach. We understand that behind every case there is a person whose life has been turned upside down by an accident.

Clients choose us because:

• We are approachable and local; you can meet us face-to-face in our offices if you wish.
• We are experts in personal injury law, with experience across workplace accidents, public liability, and road traffic claims.
• We provide a personal service, not a call-centre approach.
• We always put our clients first, ensuring you understand both the legal process and the financial implications.

We know that starting a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming, but understanding how costs and success fees work can make the process less stressful. At Hopkins Solicitors, we believe everyone deserves access to justice without the fear of unaffordable legal bills.

If you’ve been injured and want clear, honest advice about making a claim, contact our Personal Injury Team today. We’ll talk you through your options, explain how the funding works, and support you every step of the way.

Contact Hopkins Solicitors’ Personal Injury Team today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call us, visit one of our offices, or send us an enquiry online.