contingent fee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical (Legal, Business)
Quick answer
What does “contingent fee” mean?
A lawyer's payment that depends on winning the case or achieving a favorable settlement (usually a percentage of the award).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A lawyer's payment that depends on winning the case or achieving a favorable settlement (usually a percentage of the award).
A payment arrangement in any professional context (e.g., finance, consulting) where compensation is dependent on the successful outcome of a defined task or goal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term 'conditional fee agreement' (CFA) is the more common legal term, though 'contingent fee' is understood. In the US, 'contingent fee' or 'contingency fee' is the standard legal term.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both dialects, though public perception in the UK may be slightly more associated with 'no win, no fee' advertising, which is a type of CFA.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to the prevalence of this payment model in US tort law. Common in UK personal injury law under CFAs.
Grammar
How to Use “contingent fee” in a Sentence
[Lawyer/ Firm] + [verb: work/ take/ operate] + on a contingent fee[Client] + [verb: hire/ retain] + [lawyer] + on a contingent feeThe fee is contingent on/upon [successful outcome]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contingent fee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The solicitor agreed to contingency-fee the case.
- They contingency-fee most of their personal injury work.
American English
- The firm will contingency fee the lawsuit.
- He contingency-fees all his plaintiff-side work.
adverb
British English
- He works almost contingent-fee.
- They operate contingent-fee for those clients.
American English
- They practice law contingent-fee.
- The case was taken contingent-fee.
adjective
British English
- It was a contingent-fee arrangement.
- The contingent-fee model is common here.
American English
- She has a contingent-fee practice.
- We offer contingent-fee representation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In business consulting, a deal might be structured with a contingent fee payable only if cost savings targets are met.
Academic
Discussed in legal ethics papers regarding access to justice and potential conflicts of interest.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation except when someone explains, 'My lawyer is taking the case on a contingent fee, so I don't pay upfront.'
Technical
The primary domain is law: 'The attorney entered into a contingent fee agreement pursuant to Rule 1.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contingent fee”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contingent fee”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contingent fee”
- Incorrect: 'He works for a contingent fee' (better: 'on a...'). Confusing 'contingent' with 'contingency' (both are used). Misspelling as 'contigent fee'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the US, it is commonly 33% (one-third) of the recovery before trial, and 40% if the case goes to trial. Percentages vary by jurisdiction and case type.
In common parlance, yes. Strictly, 'no win, no fee' is a type of contingent fee arrangement where the client pays nothing if they lose, but may still be responsible for other costs (like court fees).
No. They are generally prohibited in criminal and most family law (e.g., divorce) cases due to ethical concerns about the lawyer's duty versus financial interest.
It depends on the case outcome. The client benefits by not paying upfront costs and sharing the risk. The lawyer benefits only if they win, potentially earning more than an hourly rate. It aligns their financial interest with the client's success.
A lawyer's payment that depends on winning the case or achieving a favorable settlement (usually a percentage of the award).
Contingent fee is usually formal, technical (legal, business) in register.
Contingent fee: in British English it is pronounced /kənˌtɪn.dʒənt ˈfiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˌtɪn.dʒənt ˈfiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No win, no fee (a specific, advertised type of contingent fee arrangement).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONTINGENT of soldiers who only get paid if they WIN the battle. A CONTINGENT FEE is money a lawyer gets only if they WIN the case.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A GAMBLE. The lawyer is an investor betting their time and expertise on the case's outcome for a share of the potential prize.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'contingent fee' MOST precisely used?