Success in Manchester Children's Home Group Litigation
14 March 2007
Rosalind Coe, one of the most experienced junior counsel in the country in cases concerning abuse in local authority care has helped to secure victory for 168 individuals involved in the Manchester Children's Home Group Litigation Order - the largest group action in the country so far.
The case involved 66 children's homes in Greater Manchester most of which were run by Manchester City Council's Social Services Department. The group started in March 2000 in response to a massive police investigation launched by Greater Manchester Police codenamed Operation Cleopatra. In June 2001 the High Court made a Group Litigation Order (GLO). Although initially only 15 victims came forward, publicity around the GLO saw numbers rise to 168. The Council have paid compensation out to most claimants and settled their cases without the need for a court hearing.
The claimants were paid nearly £2,260,000 averaging out at approximately £15,000 per person. Compensation was given for the abuse itself, its lifelong effects and for expenses such as therapy.
Rosalind has particular expertise in group litigation/multiparty actions and is currently instructed in eight of the published Group Litigation Orders. Speaking on the outcome of the case she said:
"I am delighted that this long-running group action has concluded so successfully for these claimants and I hope that, despite the severe harm caused by systemic abuse, they can now enjoy some form of closure."