James McNally
Partner
James McNally is a nationally respected award-winning solicitor who heads up our personal injury department. He was named Solicitor of the Year at the DASLS 2024 awards.
We can assist with abuse claims against individuals as well as a range of institutions such as schools, churches and local authorities. We will listen to your story with patience and treat you with respect, compassion and sensitivity.
We understand that victims of abuse often repress experiences until adulthood and we are experienced in dealing with cases involving historic abuse. We also appreciate how hard it can be for survivors to approach a solicitor or reveal the full details of their case to a stranger. We therefore aim to make the process as simple and as painless as possible.
We operate a FREE national helpline which abuse survivors can call in complete confidence and without obligation. We also have a separate website dedicated to abuse law which contains more detailed information about this highly specialised area of law.
Our lawyers are specialists in abuse law and are familiar with the legal complexities that can arise in this niche area. Our expertise has led to us being recommended by the prestigious Legal 500 directory.
Partner Elizabeth Duncan is a keen supporter of the NSPCC, and due to her efforts the firm won the NSPCC’s Childhood Champion Award for Corporate Partner of the Year for South West and Channel Islands 2018.
Department head James McNally won the DASLS Solicitor of the Year Award 2024.
Our lawyers are regularly consulted by the media on issues of abuse law. We have appeared on live ITV News and Sky News broadcasts covering abuse stories. In the print we have been featured on the front page of The Sunday Times and in The Guardian.
When to take legal action
Proposals have been announced to change the usual limitation period (time limit) to make it easier for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring their claim.
However, even if these changes do come in risks will remain, so we encourage claimants not to delay, and to get in touch with us as soon as possible.
We offer a number of flexible funding options, including our popular No Win – No Fee scheme, so fear of legal costs should never deter an abuse survivor from seeking justice.
Contact our free confidential helpline by phone for an informal chat on 0333 888 0404, or simply send an email to us at [email protected].
Some abuse claims are made against the individual perpetrator, which is always an option when the abuser has the means to pay compensation. When the abuser does not have sufficient finances to do so claims can be pursued against any organisation that was responsible for safeguarding the victim. This includes schools, churches, youth organisations, employers and any other organisation that owes the victim a duty of care. And because they are usually insured they are therefore able to meet a compensation award.
Where compensation cannot be recovered from the abuser or an institution responsible for safeguarding the victim we may be able to claim recompense from the government under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, also known as the CICA.
Children who, under the care of a local authority, should be safe but sometimes they become the victims of abuse. Authorities do not always act as quickly as they should. This can result in them leaving vulnerable children in dangerous situations. When this leads to abuse occurring the Local Authority can be held liable for failing to remove the child.
Many of the cases we deal with involve allegations of historic abuse. Although strict deadlines apply to mainstream compensation claims, the rules relating to abuse are a little more lenient. If you have been the victim of abuse in the past then you may still be able to recover compensation. But don’t delay any further. Contact us as soon as you can.
Please contact our team if you have any questions about this area of law.
James McNally is a nationally respected award-winning solicitor who heads up our personal injury department. He was named Solicitor of the Year at the DASLS 2024 awards.
Elizabeth Duncan is a member of our personal injury team.
Carly Sylvester is a partner in our personal injury team.
Jasmine is a partner in our personal injury department.
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