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

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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