I have been dealing with the survivors of childhood sexual abuse and mistreatment in children's homes for over 6 years now. This area of law has become the most important specialism of my Company. I know how difficult it is to pick up the telephone and make that all important first contact with a Solicitor. I write to you via the Internet to describe my firm and the services we offer to abuse survivors. I also wish to reassure you that if you make contact with either myself or any of my staff, you will be dealt with sympathetically and sensitively.

I am aware that many abuse survivors have a preference as to whether they wish to deal with a male or female Solicitor. You will notice on the about us page that both myself and my assistant Solicitor, Katherine, have our own e-mail addresses and your choice of either male or female lawyer to take your disclosure statement will be respected.  A meeting can take place at this office, your home or in a "neutral" setting such as a coffee bar or park - wherever you feel most comfortable. We have clients across the U.K. from Edinburgh to Cornwall and all cases are progressed professionally and efficiently, wherever you happen to be based.

I realise that you will have many questions before you make a decision as to whether you wish to pursue a claim or not.  I will try to answer some of those unasked questions in this letter.  If I have not answered your question then please use the Enquiry Form to e mail your query to me and I will do my best to be of assistance.

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Que.	If I make a Claim will I have to attend Court to give evidence?
Ans.	Most Claims are settled out of Court. In the field of litigation generally 90% of issued Claims are settled without a Court hearing. All the 55 claims we have settled were finalised without the need for the Claimant to attend Court.
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Que.	Will my name appear in the newspaper or on television?
Ans.	No. Survivors of sexual abuse are not named in the media and generally the Court makes an Order early in the proceedings that Claimants are not identified.
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Que.	I was not sexually abused but I used to run away from the children's home and was left in my night-clothes for days when I was taken back. Do I have a Claim?
Ans.	Possibly. This practice is known as "pindown". We will have to take full details from you but we have successfully claimed compensation for survivors of "pindown."
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Que.	I have been told that I cannot make a Claim for compensation because "...it all happened so long ago." Is this correct?
Ans.	No. Individual circumstances and the reasons for any delay are taken into account by the Court and it could be that you have a good explanation for not coming forward earlier. Perhaps you are only now strong enough to deal with the traumatic memories of the abuse you suffered.
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Que.	I want to speak out about what happened to me but I feel that I will need some emotional support if I am to commence litigation. Can you offer any kind of assistance other than conducting the litigation?
Ans.	We have a team of specialist Counsellors on hand who are experienced at counselling abuse survivors. We recommend this service to all our Claimants. We also publish a Survivors' Newsletter every 2 months which includes contributions from our Survivors and we hold regular group meetings for those Claimants who wish to attend.
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Que.	I don't have any money to pay a Solicitor. Can I still make a Claim?
Ans.	Public funding (formerly Legal Aid) may be available in some circumstances. In other cases we may be able to offer "No Win No Fee" arrangements and we will be happy to discuss this type of funding with you.
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I hope that this letter and the "questions and answers" have been helpful to you.
Please take the next step by telephoning, writing or e-mailing, either or .
We will be very happy to talk to you.

With Best Wishes,

Andrew Grove
Principal Solicitor