Abuse Claims
Unrivalled expertise in abuse claims
Independent Evaluation has unparalleled expertise in abuse claims, drawing on the experience of its highly regarded, independent Evaluators who, as former Appeal Court Judges, Deputy High Court Judges and QCs, have handled some of the UK’s most serious and sensitive cases. Dame Janet Smith provides her unique experience gained from the Shipman Inquiry and more recently the Jimmy Savile BBC sex abuse Inquiry. No other organisation can bring such legal authority and experience to bear in the resolution of abuse claims.
Independent Evaluation (IE) combines this weight of experience with a bespoke dispute resolution method which has a proven track record of success.
There is no longer a need for the long and painful litigation process, so often marred by delays, uncertainty and the worrying prospect of cross-examination. Parties to abuse claims can now achieve a significantly better outcome and faster resolution than they would through the courts.
Abuse claims of all types can be resolved quickly and fairly.
Sexual and Physical Abuse Claims
- Abuse suffered as a child in local authority or foster care
- Abuse suffered within the family
- Failure by social services to protect a child
- Abuse of a child by a person in a position of responsibility, such as a teacher or priest
- Abuse of a child within organisations such as sports clubs and scouts groups
- Physical, sexual or psychological abuse suffered as an adult
- Abuse by doctors or other medical professionals
- Abuse of elderly people in residential care or nursing homes
Independent and unbiased
At IE, each case is assigned an Evaluator who handles the claim from the outset through to resolution: assisting the parties to crystalise the issues and make high-quality decisions at all stages. Having analysed the claim and the evidence, the Evaluator is able to advise, with authority, what the outcome would be if the case went all the way to trial. Often this is the first time each party will have been given a clear and unbiased view of their case. The Evaluator then facilitates a process leading towards settlement that is acceptable to both parties, or at least provides a basis from which they can work towards an agreement.
Evaluators are specifically trained in the handling of abuse claims, so claimants can be confident that they will be treated with respect at all times and that the Evaluation process will be conducted with discretion and sensitivity.
IE has an excellent track record of settling claims with mutually optimal resolutions. IE is not binding: if a party believes that they will be better off pursuing traditional litigation through the Courts, they are free to do so – but no one has to date.
Group Actions
No two claims are ever the same. When multiple claims are brought against institutions such as local authorities, sports clubs, hospital trusts, children’s homes and religious organisations, it is paramount that each case is tested rigorously and that each individual claimant is treated with the utmost respect and sensitivity throughout. As we have seen, the process of litigation can often fail to deliver, with endless delays, uncertain outcomes and settlements of varying quality.
IE provides a fast and highly effective means of handling large scale, high profile and highly sensitive abuse claims. For group actions, bespoke structures can be devised to suit specific requirements. Whatever the precise structure, IE Evaluators are independent, unbiased and have unrivalled experience of abuse cases. They analyse each claim in forensic detail and ensure the proposed settlement provides the optimal resolution.
Claimants can be assured they will be offered a just and fair settlement and will be treated with the utmost respect and understanding throughout. In addition, IE provides benchmarking and quality assurance to ensure that whilst each case stands on its merits, there is consistency in the quality of settlements and awards made across the group.
For more information please call Jonathan Bishop on 020 3383 1000.
