English rule (attorney's fees)

In the field of law and economics, the English rule is a rule controlling assessment of lawyers' fees arising out of litigation. The English rule provides that the party that loses in court pays the other party's legal costs. The English rule contrasts with the American rule, under which each party is generally responsible for paying its own attorney fees (unless a statute or contract provides for that assessment). The English rule can make it easier for a poor person to bring suit, but by the same token it gives everyone more risk of being sued.

Some argue that the American system encourages frivolous or "extortionate" suits against businesses with "deep pockets," because plaintiffs can have a contingency fee arrangement with the attorney whereby they pay nothing to the attorney if the case loses. Under a contingent fee arrangement, the attorney for the plaintiff faces no consequences, other than lost time and effort, for bringing a suit that loses, but he can collect huge fees (typically 30% to 40% of the damages awarded) if he wins. By the same token, wealthy defendants have a strong incentive to pay the plaintiff to get a settlement, if they face a small chance of having to pay a huge amount.

The rationale for the English rule is that a litigant (whether bringing a claim or defending a claim) is entitled to legal representation and, if successful, should not be left out of pocket by reason of their own legal fees. It should be borne in mind that, in virtually all English civil litigation, damages are merely compensatory.

The English rule is followed by nearly every Western democracy other than the United States.^[1][2]