In a CFA, what happens if the client loses the case?

• A. The defendant pays all costs.
• B. The court pays costs.
• C. The client pays nothing (except disbursements).
• D. The client pays all costs.

Answer: (C)

A Conditional Fee Agreement means the lawyer’s fees are payable only if you win. If you lose, you don’t owe the solicitor’s ordinary fees, so the client ends up not paying the solicitor’s charges. You would still be responsible for disbursements (like court fees or expert reports) that you’ve incurred, but the solicitor’s fee itself does not fall on you in a loss case. That’s why the best answer is that the client pays nothing (except disbursements).