DOWN,NOTOUT.

Yes. In Scotland we work on a Damages-Based Agreement. You pay nothing if we lose. If we win, our fee is taken only from the solatium portion of your damages — never from your lost earnings, ongoing care, or any other patrimonial head. We explain the figures in pounds and pence on day one.

Three years from the date of the accident in most personal injury cases in Scotland. Less in some circumstances (children, fatal cases, products liability). Don't wait — evidence vanishes, witnesses move, CCTV is overwritten on a 28-day cycle.

We claim against the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB). The Untraced Drivers' Agreement covers hit-and-runs; the Uninsured Drivers' Agreement covers traced-but-uninsured. There's specific paperwork — we handle all of it.

Yes. We do this regularly. We arrange the file transfer, deal with the outgoing firm, and pick up where they left off — often correcting course in the process. There's a dedicated transfer page below.

Probably not. Around 92% of our cases settle without a court hearing. Where it does proceed, liability and quantum are usually dealt with at the same hearing — separate hearings on the two are unusual. When it does go to proof, Stephen leads the case strategy and we instruct Faculty of Advocates counsel for the courtroom advocacy.

Replace it. Always. The structural integrity may be compromised even when the damage looks superficial. As long as the replacement is like-for-like, we recover the cost from the third-party insurer as part of your compensation claim — same with damaged kit, boots, and gloves.

No. We can submit a personal injury claim without a prior medical attendance. That said, medical evidence is what builds the value of the case — so we'll arrange independent medical examinations as part of the work. If you haven't been seen yet, that's fine. We'll handle it.

No. You are not required to use the legal provider your insurer recommends. A specialist independent firm acts for you, not for the insurer's panel arrangements. The North-East Scotland brain injury case in our results section was almost-doubled by switching from the insurer's appointed firm to Gildeas.

Yes, where liability is admitted or strongly arguable. Interim payments fund rehabilitation, home adaptations, lost income and care needs while the case continues. In the £5.9M Allum case, interim payments funded the property purchase, modification works, and the adapted vehicle long before final settlement.

There may be recourse against the solicitor who advised you to accept it — bad advice on settlement value can be a professional negligence matter in its own right. Call us to discuss the circumstances and we'll be happy to advise on whether there's a route to revisit it.