An attorney can issue a summons after 120 days have passed since the claim was lodged with the RAF. This gives the person handling the claim 120 days to finalise all the investigations.

When a summons is served on the RAF, the person handling the claim will usually ask your attorney for an extension of time which will be used to see if the claim can be settled without having to go to court. The time that it takes to finalise a claim often depends on how complicated the claim is and whether all the necessary information is available.

If the RAF decides to pay out a claim, they will make an offer to the attorney. The attorney has to get your consent before agreeing to the amount offered. If the offer is not accepted the matter will be negotiated or go to court. If the offer is accepted, a discharge form will be used which says how much is to be paid. You will have to sign the discharge form and only once the RAF has received this will it make the payment.