The Ministry of Justice has agreed an extension to the compensation scheme for those who suffered abuse at the hands of Medomsley Detention Centre staff.

The agreed extension to the victims’ compensation scheme, means many potential victims who were initially not eligible to receive compensation under the terms of the scheme can now make a claim. The initial scheme was restricted to five officers originally convicted of physical abusing detainees. The extended scheme removes the requirement for the officer in question to be convicted before a claim can be made. Victims now only need to prove they were in the detention centre at the same time as the officer who physically abused them.

The Watson Woodhouse & Jordan’s teams have secured over500 cases themselves. Due to their role in the lobbying, they are able to work on a “No Win, No Fee” basis with no deduction taken from the compensation awarded, as costs are settled by the Ministry of Justice. This means they are able to pass the full compensation to their clients, whereas other Solicitors may deduct a charge of up to 25% of any compensation awarded.

Alistair Smith of Watson Woodhouse solicitors says: “We want to reassure all claimants that we deal with all cases in a sensitive and confidential manner with both male and female solicitors available to provide advice and support. We never have and never will deduct compensation from victims of abuse at Medomsley or Kirklevington.”

Jane Matthews of Jordans Solicitors offers further reassurance to victims “A lot of years have passed and we don’t want claimants to be deterred by the thought of a long application process, it's really not. It's as easy as a 15 minute call with a member of our team to establish the year(s) you were detained and any personal knowledge or interactions you remember with the officers. After that, we complete the application process with that information, and we go on to source the PNC evidence number required to proceed. 90% of our clients are successful and receive between £1750 and £5000 compensation depending on the criteria and their level & longevity of suffering”.

Following on from the landmark Medomsley investigation, hundreds of ex detainees have reported similar practices at Kirklevington Detention Centre near Yarm in Teesside.

Both Law Firms are also keen to hear of any ex detainees who were abused at that facility also between the 1960’s and 1990’s.

Contact us to discuss how anew extension to the claim period, and criteria, has enabled 90% of claimants to be successfully awarded between£1500 and £5000.

If you or anyone you know has experienced physical or sexual abuse at the hands of officers in either Medomsley Detention Centre, Consett or Kirklevington Detention Centre Yarm, please do get in touch with us for an informal discussion at:

01642 034134

Medomsleyscheme@gmail.com