What Does 'No Completion No Fee' Mean?

Buying or selling a property is one of the biggest financial decisions most of us will ever make. It’s understandable to worry about what happens to your legal costs if a transaction falls through before it reaches the finish line. The phrase “No Completion No Fee” is designed to address exactly that concern.

At Lyons Solicitors, we have many years of experience helping clients across Bristol, North and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire navigate the conveyancing process with confidence. We believe in transparent, straightforward advice so you know where you stand from the very beginning.

In this guide, we explain what No Completion No Fee means, how it works in practice, and whether it might be the right arrangement for you.

To book a free initial consultation with our specialist conveyancing solicitors in Chew Magna, Kingswood or Westbury-on-Trym and the wider Bristol area, please get in touch today. You can use the contact details for each office or fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page to request a call back.

What is No Completion No Fee?

No Completion No Fee is a conveyancing fee arrangement under which your solicitor does not charge their professional legal fee if your property transaction fails to reach completion, which is the point at which ownership officially transfers from seller to buyer.

Put simply, if your sale or purchase falls through before that point, you won’t owe your solicitor for the legal work they’ve carried out. This gives buyers and sellers a degree of financial protection when things don’t go to plan.

How does No Completion No Fee work?

When you instruct a solicitor under this arrangement, they begin work on your transaction straight away. They carry out searches, review contracts, raise enquiries, and manage the legal process on your behalf.

If the transaction doesn’t reach completion, for whatever reason, the solicitor waives their professional fee. You’re not charged for the legal time spent on your matter. It’s important to note, however, that certain third-party costs may still apply.

What costs are covered under No Completion No Fee?

The “fee” that’s waived refers specifically to the solicitor’s own professional charge for their legal work. Disbursements, which are third-party costs paid on your behalf such as local authority search fees, Land Registry fees, and stamp duty, are treated separately.

If disbursements have already been incurred by the time a transaction falls through, you’ll usually still need to cover those. Some solicitors offer search protection or indemnity insurance to help with this, so it’s worth asking about this when you first instruct.

No Completion No Fee vs No Sale No Fee

You may come across several similar terms: “No Sale No Fee,” “No Move No Fee,” and “No Completion No Fee.” In practice, these phrases all refer to the same type of arrangement. The solicitor’s professional fee is only charged if the transaction successfully completes.

The terminology varies between firms but the principle is consistent. When you’re comparing conveyancing solicitors, it’s always worth asking exactly what is and isn’t covered under whichever term a firm uses.

Advantages of No Completion No Fee conveyancing

This type of arrangement offers several practical benefits for buyers and sellers:

Financial protection: You won’t pay your solicitor’s professional fee if your transaction falls through, reducing the financial impact of an unsuccessful sale or purchase.
Peace of mind: Knowing you’re protected if circumstances change allows you to proceed with greater confidence.
Encourages diligence: Solicitors working under this arrangement have a shared interest in progressing your transaction to a successful conclusion.
No large upfront costs: Professional fees are typically settled at completion rather than invoiced in advance.

Potential drawbacks to consider

While No Completion No Fee offers real advantages, it’s worth being aware of a few limitations:

Disbursements are not always covered: Third-party costs such as search fees may still be payable if the transaction falls through before completion.
It may be priced into the overall fee: Some firms reflect the risk of non-completion in their headline quote, so it’s worth comparing overall costs carefully.
Not universally available: Not all solicitors offer this arrangement for every type of transaction, so it’s important to confirm the terms before instructing.

Is No Completion No Fee right for you?

If you’re buying or selling in a property chain, or you’re concerned about the risk of a transaction falling through, a No Completion No Fee arrangement can offer meaningful financial reassurance. It’s particularly worth considering in an uncertain market where transactions can take longer or become more complicated.

That said, the right fee arrangement depends on your individual circumstances. Speaking to a solicitor early on means you can understand your options clearly before committing.

Do I still pay for searches if my sale falls through?

In most cases, yes. Searches are a disbursement paid to third parties such as the local authority, and that cost is usually not covered by the No Completion No Fee protection. If searches have been submitted before the transaction falls through, the fees are typically still owed.

Some solicitors can arrange search protection insurance, which may reimburse the cost of searches if a transaction doesn’t proceed. It’s worth discussing this with your solicitor at the outset.

Is No Completion No Fee the same as No Win No Fee?

No, these are two distinct arrangements. A No Win No Fee agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, is a funding structure used in litigation and personal injury claims. It means a client doesn’t pay their solicitor’s fee if the legal case is unsuccessful.

No Completion No Fee applies specifically to conveyancing. The two phrases sound similar but relate to entirely different areas of law and different types of legal work.

When do I pay conveyancing fees under this arrangement?

Under a No Completion No Fee arrangement, professional legal fees are generally collected at completion, usually from the proceeds of a sale or funds being used for a purchase. If completion doesn’t happen, those fees are not charged.

Your solicitor will set out the payment terms clearly when you first instruct them. Understanding the fee structure upfront helps avoid any surprises later in the process.

Can I get No Completion No Fee for remortgaging?

No Completion No Fee arrangements are most commonly associated with property sales and purchases rather than remortgages. Because remortgages involve refinancing an existing property rather than transferring ownership, the risk of a transaction failing to complete is generally lower.

If you’re remortgaging, it’s still worth asking your solicitor about their fee structure and what would happen in the event the application doesn’t proceed.

What if my buyer pulls out at the last minute?

If your buyer withdraws before exchange of contracts, which is the legally binding point at which both parties are committed to the transaction, the No Completion No Fee protection should apply to your solicitor’s professional fee. The transaction hasn’t completed, so the fee waiver takes effect.

If a buyer pulls out after exchange, the situation is more complex, as this is a breach of contract with its own legal consequences. Your solicitor will be able to advise you on your options in that situation.

Speak to our conveyancing solicitors in Bristol

We’re able to offer a free first consultation to answer any questions you might have about the conveyancing process and how fees are structured.