Landmark court decision allows more survivors to get justice

The Supreme Court has made a landmark decision in the case of Armes v Nottinghamshire County Council, a judgment that will allow many abuse survivors to bring claims for compensation where previously they would not have been successful.

The Supreme Court has ruled that local authorities can be held vicariously liable for the actions of their foster carers, in the same way that employers can be held liable for the actions of their employees.

As a result of this decision, survivors who suffered abuse at the hands of foster carers can now argue that it is the council that placed them in foster care who should be held responsible for compensating them and not just the abusers themselves.

This is a fantastic victory for survivors and represents a major shift in how the courts will consider claim by victims of abuse at the hands of foster parents.

There will be many survivors that have previously been told they cannot bring a claim but who may now be able to get compensation to help them cope with the devastating effects of abuse.

Joseph Carr is a solicitor in the Child Abuse team at Bolt Burdon Kemp. If you or a loved one has a claim, contact Joseph free of charge and in confidence on 020 7288 4807 or at JosephCarr@boltburdonkemp.co.uk. Alternatively, complete this form and one of the solicitors in the Child Abuse team will contact you. Find out more about the Child Abuse team.