if you go to court & win who pays for the lawyers

Like the answers to so many legal questions, it depends. In general, the rule in Illinois is that each side pays its own attorneys. However, there are many exceptions. Some of them are where the dispute is about a contract and the contract says loser pays; where there is a statute specifically saying loser pays, such as actions pursuant to the civil rights laws, or where a suit is brought in bad faith. You should check with the lawyers representing you whether your particular case falls under any of the exceptions. If you do not have a lawyer and are representing yourself, you cannot collect attorney fees, even though you may work just as hard and get as good results as an attorney would have.

posted by John Otto  |  Nov 24, 2010 2:29 PM [EST]