When choosing a personal injury solicitor in Scotland, "No Win No Fee" is only half the story. The question that matters just as much is: if your claim succeeds, how much of your compensation will you actually keep?
According to information published on Digby Brown's website, its success fee is capped at 20% including VAT, with exceptions for particular case types. Scotland Claims operates a 0% success fee, meaning clients keep 100% of the compensation awarded to them.
Information checked: 17 September 2026. Funding terms can change, so always check the current agreement being offered to you before instructing a solicitor.
What Success Fee Does Digby Brown Charge?
On its Funding Your Case page, Digby Brown states its success fee is a one-off payment capped at 20%, including VAT, deducted from compensation if a claim succeeds. Digby Brown's own example uses a £10,000 settlement: a £2,000 success fee is retained, leaving the client £8,000. A separate Digby Brown page states that "in most circumstances" it takes 20% of compensation, inclusive of VAT, when a case succeeds.
Digby Brown - Funding Your Case
Digby Brown - How much will I have to pay for Digby Brown's help?
What Success Fee Does Scotland Claims Charge?
0%
Scotland Claims does not deduct a success fee from your compensation. If your claim settles for £10,000, you receive £10,000. If it settles for £50,000, you receive £50,000.
Scotland Claims - 100% Compensation Personal Injury Claims
Scotland Claims Injury Lawyers Scotland
Digby Brown vs Scotland Claims: How the Fees Compare
These figures assume identical gross compensation, purely to show the mathematical effect of the fee percentage. They do not suggest two firms would achieve the same settlement.
| Compensation | 20% Success Fee | You'd Keep | Scotland Claims 0% Fee | You Keep |
|---|
| £5,000 | £1,000 | £4,000 | £0 | £5,000 |
| £10,000 | £2,000 | £8,000 | £0 | £10,000 |
| £15,000 | £3,000 | £12,000 | £0 | £15,000 |
| £20,000 | £4,000 | £16,000 | £0 | £20,000 |
| £25,000 | £5,000 | £20,000 | £0 | £25,000 |
| £50,000 | £10,000 | £40,000 | £0 | £50,000 |
A £10,000 Compensation Example
With a 20% success fee: £10,000 compensation, minus £2,000, leaves £8,000. With Scotland Claims' 0% success fee: the client keeps the full £10,000. On the same hypothetical settlement, that is a £2,000 difference.
What About a £25,000 Claim?
On £25,000 gross compensation, a 20% deduction equals £5,000, leaving £20,000. With Scotland Claims' 0% success fee, the client keeps the full £25,000. This comparison assumes an identical gross settlement purely to demonstrate the effect of the different fee percentages, not that different firms would achieve identical settlements.
Does a Success Fee Mean a Solicitor Will Obtain More Compensation?
Not necessarily. Digby Brown says its fee model lets it properly investigate, prepare and fund claims. But the final value of any claim depends on its own facts and evidence, not on which firm is instructed. What you can compare objectively before choosing a solicitor is the funding agreement on offer and the percentage, if any, that would be deducted from your compensation. Before instructing anyone, ask exactly how much will be deducted if you win, and get the answer in writing.
Isn't No Win No Fee the Same Everywhere?
No. "No Win No Fee" does not automatically mean the solicitor will make no deduction from your compensation when you win. Some firms offer No Win No Fee representation but still deduct an agreed success fee from the compensation recovered. Scotland Claims' position is different:
No Win No Fee. 0% Success Fee. Keep 100% of your compensation.
Scotland Claims - No Win No Fee
Before instructing any solicitor, ask what percentage they will deduct, whether it includes VAT, whether it varies by case type, and how much of your compensation you will actually receive.
Why Does Scotland Claims Charge a 0% Success Fee?
Scotland Claims recovers its fees from the at-fault party's insurer where applicable, rather than taking a percentage success fee from the client's compensation. Terms and eligibility apply, and your funding arrangement should always be explained before you instruct a solicitor.
How Scotland Claims' 100% compensation arrangement works
Can You Really Keep 100% of Your Compensation?
Yes. Under Scotland Claims' 0% success-fee arrangement, no percentage is deducted from your compensation. If £12,000 is recovered for you, you receive £12,000. That is different from a plain "No Win No Fee" promise, which does not by itself guarantee 0% is deducted.
Should I Choose a Solicitor Based Only on the Success Fee?
The fee matters, but it shouldn't be the only factor. Also consider the firm's experience with your type of injury, how your case will be handled, communication, how medical evidence is gathered, whether court proceedings can be raised if needed, and any expenses you could remain responsible for. Understand the complete funding arrangement before you sign anything.
Digby Brown or Scotland Claims: Understand the Difference Before You Decide
Digby Brown currently publishes a success fee capped at 20% including VAT, with exceptions for particular cases. Scotland Claims publishes a 0% success fee, so clients keep 100% of their compensation. On a hypothetical £10,000 settlement, that is a £2,000 difference. The solicitor you choose is your decision. Before making it, ask each firm exactly what its funding agreement provides and how much of your compensation you would receive.
Speak to Scotland Claims About Your Injury Claim
If you have been injured in an accident in Scotland that was not your fault, Scotland Claims can give you an initial assessment of your potential claim.
No Win No Fee. 0% Success Fee. You keep 100% of your compensation.
Visit Scotland Claims Injury Lawyers
Sources and Verification
This comparison is based on information publicly available on the firms' websites, checked 17 September 2026. Funding arrangements can change and individual agreements vary, so always check current terms directly with the firm.
These compensation examples compare the mathematical effect of different fee percentages on an identical hypothetical settlement. They do not claim or imply that different solicitors would achieve identical results. "Digby Brown" is used solely to identify the firm whose publicly advertised fee arrangements are being compared. Scotland Claims is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Digby Brown Solicitors.