header-logo header-logo

31 May 2023
Issue: 8027 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal , Child law , Personal injury , Limitation
printer mail-detail

Abolish time bar for child abuse victims now

Personal injury lawyers have called for the limitation period for claims from victims of child abuse to be abolished with immediate effect.

Last week, the Home Office published its response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse's (IICSA’s) recommendations, including the recommendation that the time bar be abolished for abuse survivors. The Home Office responded that it would ‘consult on strengthening existing judicial guidance… and set out options to reform limitation law’.

However, Kim Harrison, executive committee member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, said a consultation was ‘completely unnecessary.

‘It is deplorable that the law in England and Wales expects survivors to bring their cases within three years of the abuse, or within three years of turning 18 if they were abused as a child, especially when the Scottish law has already abolished the time limit for abuse survivors. And it is unacceptable that the government is not taking action now.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Slater Heelis—Probate & Court of Protection team

Slater Heelis—Probate & Court of Protection team

Slater Heelis brings Probate and Court of Protection expertise together with new dedicated team

Clarke Willmott—Antonia Power

Clarke Willmott—Antonia Power

Antonia Power joins Clarke Willmott in Taunton

Haynes Boone—Chris Acton

Haynes Boone—Chris Acton

Chris Acton joins Haynes Boone as chair of UK derivatives platform

NEWS
Civil practitioners face changes spanning debt recovery, workplace harassment and possession claims, alongside guidance on insolvency challenges and children proceedings

Finding matrimonial wealth is as challenging as dividing it, as family disputes draw practitioners into asset tracing, offshore structures and insolvency

Agreement between opponents offers no guarantee that a court will approve a retrospective increase to a costs budget
Climate change belongs on every lawyer’s agenda, with risks extending far beyond environmental practice into commercial advice, litigation and access to justice
Workplace bullying and harassment can no longer be left solely to HR, as financial regulation scrutinises culture, character and fitness
back-to-top-scroll