Ban No Win No Fee

Campaign

We believe in fair redress, honest information, clients’ interests first, transparent funding and protection when firms fail.

These principles guide our campaign to ban misleading “no win, no fee” advertising and protect a fair route to redress.

A stone viaduct above town buildings, with terraced houses and a wooded hillside beyond.

Our Manifesto for Fair Civil Justice

Our manifesto for fair civil justice.

  • A fair route to justice. Everyone with a genuine grievance deserves a fair route to redress – not necessarily litigation.
  • Clear costs. Honest promises. People must know what they could pay, win or lose, before signing. Advertising must inform, not mislead.
  • Clients come first. Legal advice and decisions must serve clients, not funders or marketers.
  • Funding in the open. Consumers should know who funds their claim and whose interests are involved. Responsible funding must support access to justice, with transparency, accountability and consumer protection.
  • Protection when firms fail. Families must not be left carrying the risk when their firm collapses.

Banning “no win, no fee” advertising in practice

The ask

Ban “no win, no fee” advertising for consumer claims. We believe the slogan suggests there is nothing to lose. Costs and risks should be clear from the start, not left to warnings that qualify the headline promise. This is a ban on promotion, not on conditional fee arrangements or genuine claims.

How it would work

Our proposed ban would cover law firms, claims management companies and advertising placed for them by lead generators, introducers and agencies. It would apply across advertising channels, including social media, websites, leaflets and direct marketing. Misleading “no risk” alternatives should not offer a loophole.

Government and regulators should agree a consistent approach, using existing powers or changing rules and legislation where needed. The legal route, territorial scope and final wording are not settled. Consumer advice, factual explanations and journalism would remain unaffected.

Before signing up, people should receive a plain-language explanation of:

  • What they pay if they win, including deductions from compensation.
  • What they could pay if they lose or stop the claim, including legal costs, other claim expenses and exit fees.
  • What insurance covers, its limits and when it may not pay out.
  • Who handles and funds the claim, and whether a suitable free route is available.

The result we want

Honest advertising. Informed choices. A fair route to justice. A ban would be a starting point, alongside stronger enforcement, responsible funding and better protection when firms fail.

A ban would not prevent every misleading advert, insurance failure or firm collapse. It would not cancel existing contracts or remove existing legal liabilities.

What can you do to support

Support the campaign as an individual or organisation

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Take Action in less than 30 Seconds: Write to your MP

Follow these simple steps to reach out to your MP:

  1. Click ‘LOOKUP MY MP’ to find the contact information for your MP.
  2. Copy the letter template below and add additional information if applicable.
  3. Enter Your Details
    Provide your name, email, postcode, and the first line of your address. This will ensure that your MP knows you are their constituent and will get back to you.
  4. Review Your Letter and share with your MP via email or post.

Template copy:

Subject: Ban "no win, no fee" advertising for consumer claims

Dear [MP name],

I am writing as your constituent to ask you to support a ban on "no win, no fee" in advertising for consumer claims by law firms and claims management companies.

[Optional: one or two sentences on your own experience. Delete if this does not apply.]

"No win, no fee" tells people a claim carries no risk. In housing disrepair and cavity wall insulation claims, that is often not true. When SSB Law collapsed in January 2024, former clients were pursued for legal costs averaging around £35,000. Only 14% of claimants say they were told about potential liabilities when they signed up.

Law firms continue to use this kind of marketing.

Instead of a slogan, adverts should tell people what they could pay, win or lose, before they agree to a claim. A ban is a first step. Families also need protection when their law firm collapses, an end to cold calling about housing disrepair and cavity wall insulation claims, and openness about who funds and owns the firms behind these claims.

I would be grateful if you would raise this with the Financial Conduct Authority, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and ministers. You can find out more at www.BanNoWinNoFee.com.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

[Full name] [Address and postcode] [Email address]