Causation
The link between the negligence of a party and your injuries. It is usually based on the “but for” test, i.e. but for the other party’s negligence, would you have avoided injury or would your injury have been less serious than it is?
Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA)
The name for a form of funding between a client and a law firm. A CFA will usually state that if the case is unsuccessful, the law firm will not be paid, hence it is commonly called a “no win-no fee agreement.”
Chambers
The offices where barristers are based.
Claimant
The name for the person bringing a claim.
Claim Notification Form (CNF)
The form that is completed to start a claim for damages in certain types of personal injury cases (typically, those valued at over £1,000 and up to £25,000).
Conference
A meeting with people involved in a case (e.g. with your solicitor, barrister or medical experts).This is held to discuss and obtain further information to investigate your case and agree the future strategy. You would be involved. It may be held over the phone.
The defendant party may argue that you have contributed to your accident and injuries by your own negligence and/or by failing to take reasonable care for your own safety. This can be agreed to or may be decided by a judge, and will mean that the damages you are awarded will be reduced by the amount you are found to be contributorily negligent. So for example, if you are found to be 25% at fault, your damages would be reduced by 25%.
Costs
These are legal fees for work done on a case. If your case is successful we seek to recover our costs from the losing party or parties. If your case is unsuccessful and your case is funded by a CFA, then you will not usually have to pay costs.
Counsel
Another name for a barrister.
Counter schedule
This is the document the other side prepare in response to your schedule of special damages. It should address each item of financial loss claimed and set out what is agreed, what is disputed and why.
County Court
This is the court that deals with the majority of personal injury claims. Hearings are usually dealt with by the local court for the area where you live.
Court of Protection
The court that deals with decisions if a person is a protected party because they cannot manage their own affairs.
Court order
An official direction issued by a judge requiring a party or parties to take specified steps, usually by a certain date.
Civil Procedure Rules (CPR)
The rules and procedures that apply to all personal injury cases. They require the courts to deal with cases justly and at proportionate cost.
The Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU)
This is part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If your personal injury claim is successful, then the defendant has to notify the CRU of any state benefits you have received because of your injuries, deduct them from your compensation and repay them to the DWP. You may be asked to check a “CRU certificate” setting out the benefits you have been paid.