thompsons-scotland.co.uk Pricing

When discussing the “pricing” of Thompsons-scotland.co.uk, it’s essential to understand that as a personal injury law firm, their primary model is “No Win No Fee,” which is a common and regulated practice in the UK legal sector. This means that clients are generally not required to pay upfront legal fees. Instead, the firm’s professional fees are contingent on the success of the case. If the claim is successful, a portion of the awarded compensation goes to the firm as their fee (often referred to as a “success fee”). If the claim is unsuccessful, the client typically does not pay any professional fees to the firm.

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This model is explicitly advertised on their homepage: “We remove the worry from making a claim with our No Win No Fee Solicitors package which guarantees that you will receive maximum compensation with no hidden costs, no upfront outlay, just expert personal injury legal advice and representation.” This promise is a significant part of their value proposition, aimed at making legal services accessible to a wider range of individuals who might otherwise be deterred by the prospect of high upfront legal costs. However, from an Islamic ethical perspective, this “No Win No Fee” structure requires careful consideration due to its speculative nature and potential for disproportionate gain, as previously discussed.

Understanding the “No Win No Fee” Model

The “No Win No Fee” model (often called a Conditional Fee Agreement or CFA) forms the backbone of their pricing structure.

• No Upfront Professional Fees: Clients do not pay for the solicitor’s time or expertise unless the case is won. This is a major benefit for claimants who may be facing financial hardship due to their injuries.
• Success Fee: If the case is successful, the solicitor takes a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation awarded to the client. This percentage is typically agreed upon at the outset of the engagement.
• Disbursements/Expenses: It’s crucial to distinguish professional fees from “disbursements.” Disbursements are out-of-pocket expenses that the solicitor incurs on behalf of the client, such as court fees, expert witness fees, medical report costs, and barrister fees. While some “No Win No Fee” agreements might cover these through an insurance policy (After The Event or ATE insurance), clients should clarify their liability for these costs if the case is lost or if they decide to terminate the agreement.
• After The Event (ATE) Insurance: To protect clients from being liable for the defendant’s legal costs if the case is lost, “No Win No Fee” firms often arrange ATE insurance. The premium for this insurance is usually payable only if the case is won and is typically deducted from the compensation.

Specifics of Thompsons’ Pricing (as advertised)

While the homepage broadly outlines the “No Win No Fee” promise, specific details on the success fee percentage are not publicly displayed.

• “No Hidden Costs, No Upfront Outlay”: This claim is a key part of their marketing, aiming to assure clients of financial transparency.
• “Maximum Compensation”: The firm states its goal is to secure “maximum compensation,” implying that their fee structure does not hinder their pursuit of the highest possible settlement for the client.
• Infected Blood Compensation Scheme: For this specific scheme, Thompsons explicitly states: “we will not charge you any fee for completing and submitting the application for the interim payment. We expect our fees for applying for an award under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme to be met under the Scheme and by the government. The Government will pay up to £1,500 for legal costs for executry work. We will defer our fee until the interim payment is received…” This demonstrates a flexible approach to fees for specific, socially important cases, where the government is expected to cover legal costs.

Ethical Considerations in Islamic Finance

The “No Win No Fee” model, despite its commercial benefits, faces scrutiny under Islamic financial principles.

• Riba (Interest/Usury): The concept of taking a percentage of an uncertain future gain can be seen as having elements of riba due to its speculative nature and the solicitor’s financial ‘interest’ in the outcome. Islamic contracts generally prefer fixed, predetermined fees for services.
• Gharar (Excessive Uncertainty): The absence of a fixed fee and the dependence on an uncertain outcome (winning the case and the amount) introduces gharar, which is discouraged in Islamic transactions.
• Qimar (Gambling/Speculation): The “No Win No Fee” model can sometimes border on qimar if the solicitor’s fee is purely speculative with high risk/high reward, rather than a fair remuneration for definable effort.
• Alternative Islamic Structures: Ideally, Islamic legal services would operate on a fixed-fee basis for professional services, or through a takaful (mutual insurance) system for legal costs, ensuring the client receives the full compensation for their injury, less a clearly defined, upfront fee for the service provided.

What to Ask Before Engaging

For anyone considering Thompsons-scotland.co.uk or any “No Win No Fee” firm, it is crucial to ask specific questions about pricing and potential liabilities.

• What is the exact percentage of the success fee?
• Are there any caps on the success fee? (In England and Wales, success fees for personal injury are capped at 25% of damages, excluding future care and loss. Scotland has its own regulations).
• What disbursements will I be liable for if the case is lost?
• Is After The Event (ATE) insurance included, and if so, what are its terms and premium?
• What happens if I decide to cancel the agreement before the case concludes? Will I be liable for any costs or professional fees?
• Are there any other hidden costs or charges I should be aware of?

By asking these detailed questions, potential clients can gain a full understanding of the financial commitment and better align their decision with their ethical considerations. How to Cancel Thompsons-scotland.co.uk Engagement