[blokey]

That is incorrect in the UK.

If one party wins, they do not have to pay the legal fees of the looser.

Settlement offers have no bearing on this.

If one party wins, their (reasonable) legal fees usually are paid by the loosing party. Except if the judge orders both sides to pay their own.

If you offer £10k settlement, and I refuse, and I win £5k, you’d have to give me £5k, plus pay my and your legal fees. What I don’t get to say is you offered £10k so I want that instead.