Frequently Asked Questions about Legal Costs

What happens to the monies when an award is made in court or a settlement is reached prior to a case going to court?

In any award made or any settlement reached, the award or settlement will usually be an all-in award i.e. it will usually include any out of pocket expenses, incurred up to the day of the hearing but not including the costs of attending the hearing.

Accordingly, if a client has incurred loss of earnings all these sums are included in the award or settlement. This is whether the client settles out of Court or whether the Judge determines the amount of the compensation.

It is important to understand that any compensation sum that is received will include all out of pocket expenses, which may have been incurred or maybe incurred in the future. It is an award of payment for all time, there is no further opportunity to get any further payment. If you wish certain witnesses to be in attendance, either to give moral support or furnish evidence for the hearing, those witnesses must be directed to be there by Counsel otherwise their expenses will not be paid.