Legal News

Home Secretary Theresa May has called for the government inquiry into child abuse to be given statutory powers – which would compel child abuse witnesses to give evidence.

BBC News reports that the inquiry’s panel has started work, despite two chairs having stood down from the inquiry so far.

Around 25 witnesses who have suffered child abuse have also withdrawn from giving evidence to the inquiry, calling for a more independent chair.

Mrs May previously acknowledged that the inquiry could be given statutory powers and force witnesses to give evidence if the chair called for it to be a statutory inquiry.

Speaking to the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Home Secretary signalled that she was in favour of that option.

“The overwhelming message I'm getting from those that I have been meeting – survivors and survivors' representatives that I've been meeting – is that it's important to make sure that we do get this right.
"The message I am very clearly getting is that this is an inquiry that should have the powers to compel people to give evidence and to enforce.
“I'm very clear that the inquiry should have the powers of a statutory inquiry,” she told MPs.
Mrs May said that the panel could either wait for a new chair to be appointed – or that a new inquiry could be set up with statutory powers.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Sexual and Physical Abuse Claims

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of personal injury solicitors able to advise victims of sexual abuse and physical abuse – including victims of child abuse and domestic violence – on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation.

Victims of sexual and physical abuse are usually able to make a compensation claim from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme once a conviction against the abuser has been obtained in a court of law.

Duncan Lewis solicitors can also advise on making no win no fee Sexual and Physical Abuse Claims through the civil courts, however – and are also able to advise on no win no fee compensation claims in cases of historic sex abuse or physical abuse.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Sexual and Physical Abuse Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.