Efforts are made at every stage to ensure a fair settlement is reached - avoiding the need for inconvenient and expensive litigation. Often when we provide the facts of the case and our supporting evidence the other party’s legal representatives will engage with us and reach an acceptable agreement.

A member of the Principia Law team will contact you. They will explain the reason for the case having to be escalated and explain the next steps - in particular the importance of completing the questionnaire and providing any supporting documents or data. It will also be an opportunity to answer any questions you may have.

To ensure we have all the information to progress your case successfully we ask that you complete a questionnaire. It is important you answer all the questions and provide as much information, supporting documents and data as possible. Even if you have provided the same or similar information before it is an opportunity to ensure we have all the information and it is accurate.

The information and documentation you provide is checked and recorded. We will contact you if you have omitted any details or we have any questions about answers or documentation you have provided.

Your answers and information will enable us to assess your case, prepare a Witness Statement on your behalf and a draft ‘Particulars of Claim’ (essentially all the key pieces of information needed to present your case successfully).

The Witness Statement drafted on your behalf is sent to you. It is important you check the statement and identify any errors or corrections, returning it to us as quickly as possible. If it requires correction this will be done and it will be returned again for your signature.

This stage of the process is handled by the Pre Hearing Team. Your dedicated case handler will present the facts of your case to the insurer and attempt to reach a satisfactory settlement of your claim with them.

However, where an insurer refuses to settle or to offer a reasonable settlement, you case will be escalated and the litigation process accelerated - the Hearing team will take over at this point, with more specialist knowledge and skills, they will be progress your case to a successful conclusion.

We will contact you to establish dates that you are able to attend court. If we apply to the court for a hearing and a date is set we will confirm this with you.

The Credit Protection policy provided when you began your claim will ensure that your case is prepared by experts and you are professionally represented at any hearing. They will also take time to ensure the process is explained to you, any concerns or questions are answered and relieve any apprehensions you may have.

As a case progresses towards a hearing date there is often a greater chance of a settlement being reached. To ensure you are kept up to date we will notify you at 14 days, 7 days and the day prior to confirm whether the case has been settled or the Hearing is still progressing. An insurer may choose to make an offer to settle the case at any time up to and including the day of the Hearing.

If you have to attend court we will confirm all the details with you in good time, ensuring you know where and when you must attend and who will be representing you. We’ll answer any questions you may have before the day, and on the day your legal representative will be on hand to advise, help you and make you feel at ease (we appreciate that possibly having to attend court is not a regular occurrence for most people) .