Court halts Catholic Church's bid to limit child abuse claim
March 20, 2009
Bolt Burdon Kemp’s specialist child abuse team represent George Thompson in a claim for sexual abuse suffered whilst attending a seminary school in Lancashire in the 1970’s. The Catholic Church, who are defending the claim, appealed against the refusal of the court to have the issue of Mr Thompson’s delay in bringing proceedings tried as a preliminary issue. The appeal was heard on the 19th December and the approved judgment has just been released. Mr Justice Mackay refused the Defendant’s appeal, and said that it would be very unfair on Mr Thompson, who suffers profound psychological difficulties, because potentially he would have to give evidence twice in court. This judgment is likely to be of considerable assistance to other claimants who increasingly are facing similar applications in these cases. The Defendants are seeking permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal.