Clear answers before you start.

Civil litigation is the process by which a claim is brought through the court procedure. "Litigation" is the act of bringing a lawsuit and the court hearing that follows.

The duration of a case depends entirely on the circumstances and facts of each individual case. Once court proceedings are issued, both parties are given a court timetable which sets out when certain steps have to be taken.

Once legal proceedings are issued, there is nothing to stop either party agreeing a settlement before a final hearing, and in most cases this is the likely outcome. However, if the matter proceeds to trial you will, in most cases, have to attend to give evidence in support of your claim.

Under English law, in most cases the party that loses is usually the party who bears the other side's costs as well as its own legal costs. The risk is therefore a financial one.

Even if you are unsure whether you can make a claim, please call us on 01282 700200. Our qualified solicitors will take further details from you and assess whether you have a claim. They will do this for free.

Three years from the date of the accident. There are a few exceptions to the rule. For example, where a child has been involved in an accident, the limitation period runs for three years from the day the child turns 18, so until their 21st birthday. For more information about the time limits involved in making a claim, please contact us.

It is very difficult to estimate how much you may receive without knowing the full circumstances of your accident. Each compensation claim is dealt with individually and on its own merits.

If you have suffered a whiplash injury in a motor accident, your compensation is set by a tariff introduced by the government in 2021.

There is no set time in which a case will conclude. Some cases last a couple of months, others can take up to a year. The normal period is between 6 and 9 months, but it all depends on the circumstances of the individual case. Most of our time is spent writing and replying to letters. We reply to all correspondence as quickly as possible, but delays can occur because third parties can take their time in replying.

We will always try to deal with your claim in the way that is most convenient to you. Very few personal injury claims proceed to court. If there is no dispute about who was at fault for the accident and the level of injuries received, your claim is very likely to be settled outside of court. In some cases where there is a dispute you may have to attend court, and your solicitor will advise you fully about this.

Although it is not essential, a medical record is helpful in pursuing your claim. There needs to be some form of medical evidence of the injuries you sustained, and a visit to the doctor as soon as possible after the accident helps prove the extent of your injuries. We may then arrange for you to see a medical expert to assess your injuries.

If you have suffered a whiplash injury in a motor accident, you are not entitled to receive compensation for those injuries unless you are examined by a medical expert.

An interim payment is an amount paid to you in partial settlement of your claim. It does not mean your claim has been fully settled: the third party will still deal with any outstanding parts of your claim.

At CLS, the single most important part of a claim is our client. We pride ourselves on excellent client care and on giving our clients peace of mind that their claim is being handled professionally and efficiently. Our trained professionals are experienced and competent, and they make sure that making a claim through us could not be safer or simpler.