Conditional Fee Agreement

A new no win, no fee scheme for members wishing to pursue a case involving libel, slander, malicious falsehood and all types of media-related cases is now available through Peter Carter-Ruck and partners, solicitors specialising in this area of law.

Libel and slander cases can be exceedingly expensive and do not fall within NATFHE's own legal advice and assistance scheme. If you believe you have a case for defamation, you can now contact Carter-Ruck who will assess the merits of the case; there is no charge for this. If Carter-Ruck agree to take the case, you will be invited to enter into an agreement on a no win, no fee basis (a CFA). This means that you will not have to pay any of Carter-Ruck's professional fees during the course of the case. You are only liable to do so if the claim is successful, and then most are likely to be recoverable from the losing party. If your claim is not successful, you do not have to pay any of Carter-Ruck's professional fees.

Carter-Ruck can also arrange insurance for those represented under a CFA to cover their liability to cover the other side's costs if the case is unsuccessful. The premium for this - as well as the 'success fee' to which Carter-Ruck are entitled for taking a case on a CFA basis - are recoverable from the losing party in a successful case.

For further information, telephone Ruth Collard on 020 7353 5005.