Under CFA, if the case is won, the client will bear costs to the lawyer at what rate?

Under CFA, if the case is won, the client will bear costs to the lawyer at what rate?

• A. They pay nothing.
• B. Enhanced rate.
• C. Ordinary rate.
• D. The defendant pays.

Answer: (B)

Under a Conditional Fee Arrangement, the solicitor’s fees can include a success fee uplift. If the claim is won, the client pays the solicitor at an enhanced rate for the time spent, rather than the ordinary hourly rate. This uplift compensates the lawyer for taking on the case without upfront fees and the associated risk. So, when the case is successful, the client bears costs to the lawyer at the enhanced rate. The other options don’t fit: there is a charge for the lawyer’s time under a CFA, the defendant doesn’t directly pay the solicitor in this setup, and the ordinary rate applies only if no uplift is charged.

Under a Conditional Fee Arrangement, the solicitor’s fees can include a success fee uplift. If the claim is won, the client pays the solicitor at an enhanced rate for the time spent, rather than the ordinary hourly rate. This uplift compensates the lawyer for taking on the case without upfront fees and the associated risk. So, when the case is successful, the client bears costs to the lawyer at the enhanced rate. The other options don’t fit: there is a charge for the lawyer’s time under a CFA, the defendant doesn’t directly pay the solicitor in this setup, and the ordinary rate applies only if no uplift is charged.