No Win No Fee

What Does “No Win No Fee” Actually Mean?

No Win No Fee is a legal funding arrangement where you pay nothing unless your case is successful. In the UK this is formally structured as a Damages-Based Agreement (DBA), where your solicitor takes on the financial risk of the case rather than you. This levels the playing field, allowing you to challenge your employer’s HR department and legal team regardless of your personal financial situation.

It means: £0 upfront, £0 in KLG fees if you lose, and a pre-agreed percentage deducted from your compensation only if we win.

Who Can Use No Win No Fee?

We carry out a case review first (from £200 + VAT) and will advise you clearly on whether No Win No Fee is available. As a general guide, you are likely to qualify if your claim has reasonable prospects of success, falls within the legal time limits, and is a type of claim we handle on this basis.

What Types of Employment Claims Qualify?

Dismissal Claims

• Unfair Dismissal: generally requires 2 years’ continuous service (reducing to 6 months from January 2027 under the Employment Rights Act 2025)
• Constructive Dismissal: where your employer’s conduct forced you to resign
• Wrongful Dismissal: dismissed in breach of your contract
• Automatic Unfair Dismissal: no minimum service required (e.g. dismissal linked to whistleblowing, pregnancy, or asserting a statutory right)

Discrimination Claims (no minimum service – claimable from day one) Race, Sex/Gender, Disability, Age, Pregnancy and Maternity, Religion or Belief, Sexual Orientation, Gender Reassignment, Marriage and Civil Partnership.

Other Claims Whistleblowing, Workplace Harassment, Unlawful Deduction of Wages, Redundancy Pay Disputes, Breach of Contract.

The No Win No Fee Process (Step by Step)

Step 1: Submit Your Enquiry – Tell us about your situation online or by phone. We aim to respond within 72 hours.

Step 2: Case Review – Our solicitors review your documents, assess the legal merits, relevant deadlines, and potential value of your claim. Review fee from £200 + VAT.

Step 3: Our Decision – We advise you honestly on whether No Win No Fee applies. If suitable, we explain the agreement and the success fee percentage upfront.

Step 4: Sign the DBA – You sign the formal Damages-Based Agreement. Everything is set out clearly with no surprises.

Step 5: We Build Your Case – Our solicitors manage everything: gathering evidence, corresponding with your employer, and preparing the legal arguments.

Step 6: ACAS Early Conciliation – Before a tribunal claim can be filed, ACAS Early Conciliation is a mandatory step in the UK. We guide you through this, which also opens the door to an early settlement.

Step 7: Settlement or Tribunal – Most claims settle before a formal hearing. If your employer makes a fair offer we advise you whether to accept. If not, we represent you at the Employment Tribunal.

Step 8: Compensation – If successful, our agreed fee percentage is deducted and the remainder is paid to you.

How Much Compensation Could I Receive?

Employment tribunals can award: loss of earnings (past and future), injury to feelings in discrimination and whistleblowing cases (ranging from a few thousand to over £40,000 under the Vento Guidelines), personal injury where psychiatric harm is caused, and redundancy pay. For unfair dismissal, the basic award is calculated on age, service, and weekly pay, with the compensatory award potentially going significantly higher.

Employment Rights Act 2025

The Employment Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent in December 2025. The qualifying period for unfair dismissal is being reduced from 2 years to 6 months, effective January 2027, meaning significantly more employees will be able to bring claims on a No Win No Fee basis. If you were recently dismissed and are unsure whether you qualify, speak to us – you may already have a day-one right such as discrimination or whistleblowing.

Is There Any Financial Risk to Me?

In most Employment Tribunal cases each side pays their own legal costs, unlike civil courts. Even if your claim is unsuccessful, you would not normally be ordered to pay your employer’s costs. Cost orders are rare and only arise in exceptional circumstances such as vexatious conduct. You may be asked to cover disbursements (e.g. expert reports) where applicable. We always discuss any such costs with you upfront.

Why Choose KLG?

• 90%+ success rate on No Win No Fee cases
• Specialist employment law firm acting for employees
• SRA-regulated solicitors experienced in Employment Tribunals
• Honest advice – we tell you upfront if your case does not qualify
• Response within 72 hours
• Offices in Maidenhead and London, advising clients UK-wide