Is legal aid available to personal injury claimants?
Updated: 3 Oct, 2025 By Chris Salmon
If you are thinking about making a personal injury claim, you may be concerned about the cost of legal fees. Legal aid is no longer available for most personal injury claims, but solicitors now take on cases under No Win No Fee agreements. This makes legal advice and representation available to anyone with a valid claim, without the risk of upfront costs.
At a glance
- Legal Aid for personal injury was abolished in most cases in April 2000 (Source: LASPO 2012)
- Most claims are funded by No Win No Fee (CFA) agreements
- No upfront costs to start a claim
- You pay nothing if you lose your case
What is legal aid?
Legal aid is government funding designed to help people meet the costs of legal advice and representation. It was introduced after the Second World War to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, had access to justice. Legal aid has historically supported people in areas such as family law, housing, employment, immigration, debt, and criminal defence.
Legal aid is funded by the Treasury and managed by the Legal Aid Agency, part of the Ministry of Justice.
Except in very rare cases, such as medical negligence affecting children, Legal Aid is no longer available for injury claims. No win, no fee is now the most common way to make a risk-free injury claim.
John Kushnick
Legal Operations Director (NAL)
Can I get legal aid for a personal injury claim?
No. Legal aid is no longer available for personal injury claims. It was abolished in 2000 due to the high number of claims (over 700,000 per year) that were putting pressure on the public purse.
No Win No Fee agreements
Although legal aid is no longer available, No Win No Fee agreements mean you can still make a claim without financial risk. These agreements, also called Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs), allow solicitors to represent you without charging upfront. If your claim succeeds, they receive a success fee, capped by law. If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay nothing.
Find out more: Making a No Win No Fee claim
Key Points
- Legal aid for personal injury claims was abolished in 2000.
- Claims are now funded by No Win No Fee agreements, also known as CFAs.
- There are no upfront costs and no fees if you lose.
- If you win, your solicitor receives a success fee from your compensation.
Have you been injured at work?
If you have been injured at work in the last 3 years, you may be able to claim financial compensation.
Find out more about making a work accident claim:
- Do you qualify?
- How much compensation could you get?
- How does No Win, No Fee work?
Read more: Work accident claim guide
One quick call can give you clarity and confidence about your options after a work accident. A specialist advisor will:
- Give free, confidential and impartial advice
- Explain clearly how No Win, No Fee works
- Connect you with the right solicitor for your case
You're under no pressure to claim. We'll get you the right advice, when you need it.
About the author
Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.
Last reviewed October 2025 by Chris Salmon
External references
- GOV.UK: Legal aid - official guidance on when legal aid is available.
- Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 - legislation restricting legal aid availability for PI cases.
- The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 - rules governing success fees in No Win No Fee agreements.
- Citizens Advice: Personal injury compensation - explains funding options if legal aid is unavailable.