Do I Have to Pay Legal Fees for the Church of England Redress Scheme?

One of the most common questions survivors ask is whether making a claim under the Church of England Redress Scheme will cost them anything. The answer is no. Legal fees for the Church of England Redress Scheme are paid separately by the Archbishops' Council. They are not deducted from your compensation award,

That means there is no bill at the beginning of the process, no deduction from your compensation if your application is successful and no legal fees for you to pay if your application is unsuccessful.

Many survivors understandably want to know where they stand financially before taking the first step. Questions such as: "Will anything come out of my compensation?" and "Who pays the solicitor?" and "Will I receive a bill later?" are all completely reasonable.

The Church of England Redress Scheme was designed so that survivors can access legal advice and support without worrying about legal costs. The scheme covers those costs separately, allowing you to keep the full amount of any compensation awarded.

This is different from many civil abuse claims, where legal fees may be deducted from a settlement or damages award. Under the Church of England Redress Scheme, the intention is that survivors should receive the compensation awarded to them in full.

The legal rules behind this are set out in the legislation that established the scheme, which we explain in more detail below.

Where legal fees for the Church of England Redress Scheme come from in the rules

The funding model is authorised by Section 23 of the Abuse Redress Measure. The key phrase is in subsection (3)(a): a payment can be made to the lawyer “regardless of the outcome of the application or appeal”. In plain terms, that is the line that means you carry no cost and no risk, win or lose.

The Church of England Redress Scheme recognises that many survivors may be worried about the cost of seeking legal advice. That is why the scheme includes provisions for legal costs to be paid separately by the Archbishops' Council, rather than being deducted from a survivor's compensation.

The aim is simple: nobody should feel unable to make an application because they are worried about solicitor's fees or the cost of getting help.

The legal framework behind the scheme reflects that principle, helping survivors access specialist support without financial risk.

Where this comes from in the rules

Section 23 of the Abuse Redress Measure, “Legal costs etc.” reads:

23 Legal costs etc.

The rules may make provision for the assessment and reimbursement of costs incurred in connection with providing legal advice and assistance for the purposes of this Measure.

1. The rules may make provision for the payment or reimbursement of other specified costs.
2. The rules may require a payment of a specified amount to be made to the lawyer acting on an application for redress or an appeal under this Measure; and the rules may provide for the payment to be made: (a) regardless of the outcome of the application or appeal, or (b) only if the application or appeal has reached a specified stage.
3. The Archbishops’ Council may pay costs incurred, or to be incurred, in connection with the provision of a service which it considers will enhance the operation of this Measure.
4. “Lawyer” means: (a) a solicitor within the meaning of the Legal Services Act 2007, (b) a barrister within the meaning of that Act who is authorised to take instructions directly from a person rather than through a solicitor, or (c) a person authorised by the Institute of Chartered Legal Executives to practise as a chartered legal executive.

In plain English, Section 23 covers three kinds of legal cost under the scheme. You do not need to pay any of them.

1. The cost of advice and help on making your application

That covers the legal work of checking that you are eligible, gathering your evidence, writing your witness statement, and submitting your application for you.

Where the types of cost come from in the rules

Section 23(1) of the Abuse Redress Measure lets the rules provide for “the assessment and reimbursement of costs incurred in connection with providing legal advice and assistance for the purposes of this Measure”. In plain terms, the legal work of preparing and sending your application is covered.

2. Legal Advice on Offers and Appeals

The scheme does not just cover legal advice when you make an application. It can also cover advice later in the process, when important decisions need to be made.

If the Redress Body makes you a compensation offer, you may want to take independent legal advice before deciding whether to accept it. This can be particularly important because accepting an award may affect your right to bring a civil claim relating to the same abuse in the future.

Legal advice and representation can also be available if you wish to challenge a decision through the scheme's appeals process. This means that you can receive support throughout the process, helping you understand your options and make informed decisions about what is right for you.

Where legal advice on offers and appeals comes from in the rules

Section 23(2) lets the rules cover “the payment or reimbursement of other specified costs”, which includes the advice on whether to accept or to seek a review. Section 23(3) lets a payment be made to “the lawyer acting on an application for redress or an appeal”, so an appeal is funded as well as the first application.

3. Support Beyond Legal Fees for the Church of England Redress Scheme

The Church of England Redress Scheme is designed to remove as many barriers as possible for survivors.

As well as covering legal costs for the Church of England Redress Scheme in certain circumstances, the rules allow for other approved costs to be paid where they support the operation of the scheme or help survivors engage with the process.

The aim is to make the scheme as accessible and supportive as possible for those who choose to come forward.

Where this comes from in the rules

Section 23(4) lets the Archbishops’ Council pay for “the provision of a service which it considers will enhance the operation of this Measure”. In plain terms, this is the catch-all that covers wider survivor legal support. The phrase doing the most work for you sits in subsection (3)(a): the payment to your lawyer can be made “regardless of the outcome of the application or appeal”. That is the foundation of the no-risk position.

A Different Approach to Legal Costs

The Church of England Redress Scheme was designed so that survivors can access legal advice without taking on financial risk.

This is different from many civil claims, where legal costs are often dealt with through a no win, no fee arrangement. Under the Redress Scheme, legal costs are handled separately, allowing survivors to focus on the application itself rather than how legal advice will be funded.

No. If you receive compensation through the Church of England Redress Scheme, Winston Solicitors does not take any money from your award. You keep the full amount of any compensation you are awarded.

Your solicitor's fees are dealt with separately through the scheme's funding arrangements. They are not deducted from your compensation, and you will not receive an invoice for the legal work carried out on your behalf.

Many survivors worry that legal help will reduce the amount they receive. Under the Church of England Redress Scheme, that is not how the process is intended to work. Your compensation and your legal costs are treated separately.

Where this comes from in the rules

Section 23(3) of the Abuse Redress Measure authorises “a payment of a specified amount to be made to the lawyer acting on an application for redress or an appeal”. In plain terms, your solicitor is paid by the scheme funder, not by you, and not out of your award.

Making a claim can feel daunting enough without having to worry about legal costs.

The Church of England Redress Scheme allows survivors to access legal advice and support throughout the process, from the first conversation through to the final outcome. This can include help with preparing an application, gathering information, understanding compensation offers, and navigating any appeal process.

These legal costs are covered separately through the scheme and are not taken from your compensation award. For survivors, that means one less thing to worry about. You can focus on making informed decisions about your application, knowing that your compensation is not being reduced to pay for legal advice.

You may have seen references to legal fees being "paid separately" under the Church of England Redress Scheme. In simple terms, it means you do not have to pay for legal support out of your own pocket or from any compensation you receive.

No Upfront Costs

There is nothing to pay when you first contact Winston Solicitors for advice about the Church of England Redress Scheme. Your initial conversation is free, and you will not be asked for a deposit, retainer, or payment to start the process.

You Keep Any Compensation Awarded

If you receive compensation through the scheme, Winston Solicitors does not take a percentage of your award and does not deduct legal fees from your compensation.

Any compensation awarded to you remains yours in full.

As above – certain caveats may apply. Covered in our client care letter

Support Without Financial Risk

Many survivors worry about what happens if their application is unsuccessful. The scheme was designed to remove that concern and allow survivors to access legal advice without worrying about solicitor's fees becoming their responsibility.

Where separately paid solicitors’ fees come from in the rules

Section 23(3)(a) of the Abuse Redress Measure allows the payment to the lawyer to be made “regardless of the outcome of the application or appeal.” In plain terms, your solicitor is paid whether you win or lose the claim

The Church of England Redress Scheme is designed to allow survivors to access legal advice and support without worrying about the cost. In practical terms, that means you can speak to a solicitor, receive advice about your options, and get help with your application without having to fund the legal work yourself.

For most survivors, the important point is simple: the process should not be held back by concerns about legal fees or the cost of getting advice.

What the scheme does ask from you is something different. It asks for your time, your honesty, and, when you feel ready, your account of what happened. A good solicitor's role is to listen, guide you through the process, and help present your application clearly and sensitively

The aim is to ensure that people can seek advice and support without financial barriers getting in the way.

Some survivors may be considering whether to apply through the Church of England Redress Scheme or pursue a civil claim through the courts.

One of the key differences is how legal costs are handled.

In a civil claim, legal fees and other costs are usually dealt with through a separate funding arrangement between the client and their solicitor. Depending on the type of agreement in place, some costs may be deducted from any compensation awarded.

The Church of England Redress Scheme works differently. The scheme includes separate provisions for legal costs, meaning survivors can access legal advice and representation without those costs being taken from their compensation award.

For many survivors, this provides reassurance that they can seek specialist advice without worrying about how legal fees will be funded.

It is important to remember that the Redress Scheme and a civil claim are two separate routes. If you are considering a civil claim against the Church, you should seek advice from a specialist solicitor who advises on civil abuse litigation. Winston Solicitors focuses on the Church of England Redress Scheme and can advise on the scheme process and what it may mean for you.

Where civil claims come from in the rules

Section 23(3)(a) of the Abuse Redress Measure allows a payment to the lawyer In plain terms, because your lawyer is paid either way under the scheme, there is no percentage taken from your award the way a civil no-win-no-fee deal works. That difference is one of the most important factors in the wider comparison between the two routes, alongside giving up your civil rights when you accept an award (Section 11 of the Measure), the non-financial remedies the scheme offers (Section 18), and the difference in how much evidence is needed. The fuller picture of the cost of a civil claim, with the independent specialist signpost, lives at scheme versus civil claim.

Winston Solicitors does not advise on civil claims. If a civil claim is something you want to explore, you should speak to an independent specialist civil claims solicitor.

Stacey  leads Winston Solicitors' work relating to the Church of England Redress Scheme, supporting survivors across England and Wales.

Winston Solicitors has extensive experience helping survivors of abuse secure compensation and redress through a range of routes, including Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims, institutional abuse claims, and specialist compensation schemes. The team combines that experience with detailed knowledge of the Church of England Redress Scheme and its assessment framework, helping survivors understand the process and make informed decisions about their options.

Questions about legal costs under the Church of England Redress Scheme

Will I have to pay anything to Winston Solicitors at any point in my claim?

The Archbishops’ Council pays Winston Solicitors’ fees separately under Section 23 of the Abuse Redress Measure.

What happens to the cost of legal advice if my application is unsuccessful?

You still pay nothing. Section 23(3)(a) of the Abuse Redress Measure allows the payment to the lawyer to be made “regardless of the outcome of the application or appeal”.

Is the cost of advice on whether to accept an award also covered?

Yes. Section 23(1) covers the cost of legal advice and assistance for the purposes of the Measure, and Section 23(3) covers the lawyer acting on an application or an appeal. The decision on whether to accept an award matters, because accepting gives up your civil rights under Section 11, and the cost of that advice is inside the scheme’s funding.

Does anything come out of my compensation?

No. Whatever figure the redress body decides under the five-step Schedule 1 calculation, you receive in full. Winston Solicitors does not take anything off the award. There is no separate bill at the end.

What about court fees, expert reports, or disbursements?

In a civil claim, these costs can come out of your settlement. Under the Church of England Redress Scheme there is no court hearing in the usual sense, and the costs that would normally count as disbursements in civil cases either do not arise or are covered by the scheme’s own funding under Section 23(2) and (4). If anything specific to your case falls outside the standard scope, Winston Solicitors will tell you in writing before any cost is incurred.

Do I have to repay anything if I withdraw my application partway through?

No. If you decide partway through that you do not want to carry on, you can stop without owing Winston Solicitors a penny. There is no clawback against you in any situation. The work the firm has done up to that point is settled with the scheme, not with you.

Does being paid by the Archbishops’ Council affect the advice I get?

No. Winston Solicitors’ professional duty is to you, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The firm will challenge the Church on your behalf and push back on offers that undervalue your claim under Schedule 1. If you want to explore whether a civil claim might be right for you, Winston Solicitors does not advise on civil claims against the Church.

Why is this not described as “no win, no fee”?

Because that description is not quite accurate, even though the practical effect is the same and better. A traditional no-win-no-fee arrangement means the solicitor takes nothing if the claim fails and an agreed percentage if it succeeds. Under the Church of England Redress Scheme, there is no such agreement and no percentage at all. “. The search-query version of this question lives at no win no fee. The full cost mechanics live here.

How does the cost picture compare to a civil claim against the Church?

Under a civil claim, the solicitor’s fees and other costs usually come out of your settlement before the rest reaches you. Under the redress scheme, your solicitor’s fees are paid separately by the Archbishops’ Council and your award reaches you in full. The wider comparison between the two routes, with the independent specialist signpost for the civil route, is at scheme versus civil claim.

Does the application itself cost me anything in time or effort?

Yes. Preparing an application does take some time, and for many survivors it can also be emotionally difficult to revisit what happened.

You will usually need to tell your story, think about the impact the abuse has had on your life, and help identify any records or other evidence that may support your application. However, you are not expected to do all of this on your own.

Where can I check that this funding model is real before I instruct anyone?

Section 23 of the Abuse Redress Measure is in the public legislation, quoted above. The Abuse Redress Rules 2025 set out how the funding works in practice. If you want to satisfy yourself before instructing Winston Solicitors, ask for a copy of the client care letter that confirms in writing that no fee will come out of your compensation in any circumstance. The firm will explain how it is appointed under the scheme, how it is paid, and what your letter will say about fees. Nothing about it is hidden from you.

Independent survivor support

If reading about the cost mechanics has surfaced anything more than the practical question you came here with, independent support is available regardless of any claim. The full guide to organisations supporting survivors of church-related abuse is at support organisations.

• Samaritans on 116 123
• NAPAC on 0808 801 0331
• Safe Spaces on 0300 303 1056.

If you have read the cost position and want to talk it through, or you have used the calculator and want a second opinion on the result, Stacey Flegg, Head of Church of England Redress Scheme at Winston Solicitors will speak with you in your own time. The first conversation costs nothing. There is no obligation to continue. You decide when and whether you are ready.

Winston Solicitors works with survivors of clergy abuse from across England and Wales, with over 4,000 five-star reviews across the firm’s wider work. The team focuses specifically on the Church of England Redress Scheme route rather than general abuse litigation, which is why Stacey can give you an honest read on what Section 23 means for your situation before you decide on anything.