“No Win No Fee” in Family Law

“No Win No Fee” is an often used phrase for law firms advertising legal services, especially in the fields of compensation law and contested estates. 

Simply put, “No Win No Fee” is an arrangement between the lawyer and the client where payment of all or some of the lawyer’s costs is conditional upon the successful outcome of the matter to which the legal costs relate. 

So what then for family law matters? Is it possible to enter into a no win no fee family law arrangement with your lawyer?

The answer is found in the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) s.181(7) which prohibits a law firm from entering into a No Win No Fee Family Law costs agreement with a client in proceedings under the Family Law Act. There are serious consequences for the principals of the law firm entering into a “No Win No Fee” arrangement in a family law matter under the Family Law Act.

Pay at the end Family Law

Because of the prohibition on no win no fee family law many people are faced with the burden of having to fund the legal costs of their family law proceedings as the matter progresses. This can be a difficult proposition, especially if one party to the marriage is not working, or has all or most of their net wealth tied up in matrimonial assets, often the family home. 

To ensure clients in these situations have access to the best possible family law advice Prime Lawyers has developed the “Blue Ribbon” payment option for approved Family Law clients. The “Blue Ribbon” payment option to approved clients is not no-win no-fee, but a deferred payment option. 

To read more about “Blue Ribbon”, or to apply to join many current and former family law clients we have assisted under “Blue Ribbon” visit our Blue Ribbon Payment Option page.

If you wish to discuss whether we can accept your application then get in touch with your nearest Prime Lawyers office.

We have offices in Sydney, Chatswood, Parramatta, Sutherland and Wollongong.