Jane Matthews
Length of time doing PI Work
Over 30 years
Experience in cases on behalf of a survivor of abuse:
I am a Director and Head of the Abuse department at Jordans Solicitors.
Jordans Solicitors have represented survivors of abuse since approximately 1998. We handle cases involving large multi-party actions and individual cases, pursued against many different institutions, together with cases being pursued via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICA).
I represent adult and child survivors of abuse, who have suffered abuse in various settings. I act in cases against local authorities, children’s homes, schools, charities, youth organisations, detention centres, football clubs and religious organisations. I also represent clients in respect of Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and child sexual exploitation claims.
I am a panel member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers.
I am proud of my relationship with charities including the National Association of People abused in Childhood (NAPAC) and Safeline.
I have received trauma-informed training and regularly deliver training to charities who support survivors of abuse.
I am actively involved in consultations including the change to limitation and apologies as well as advocating for mandatory reporting and changes to the CICA. I feel this is an important aspect of my work and the representation of my clients.
I work hard to achieve the best outcome for my clients and support my clients through the legal process. I pride myself on being approachable and able to build a relationship of trust with my clients.
Significant Cases
Jordans Solicitors has been instrumental in changing the law relating to child abuse claims (A v Hoare and others [2008] UKHL 6 and Various Claimants v Catholic Child Welfare Society and others [2012] UKSC 56)
Recently, I represented the Claimant in the case of DJ -v- Barnsley MBC which was successful at the Court Appeal. This claim involved the significant issue of whether a local authority can be held to be vicariously liable for the actions of a foster parent who is a family member.
I also represented Jordans Solicitors on the Steering Group of Solicitors which was instrumental in securing compensation for former detainees of the Medomsley Detention Centre and worked closely with the Ministry of Justice in the development of the Physical Abuse Compensation Scheme for former detainees of Medomsley.
I was also part of the group of Solicitors who made representations to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (ICSA) that Medomsley Detention Centre should be investigated as part of their inquiry and has continued to support this group of survivors by pushing for an independent inquiry of Medomsley.
I also consulted with the Prisons and Probation Ombudsmen’s investigation into abuse that was suffered at Medomsley.
More recently I represented Jordans Solicitors in discussions with the Ministry of Justice which secured the Eastwood Park Settlement Scheme for former detainees of Eastwood Park Detention Centre.
Other experience of Cases
Personal injury Law
I have worked in the area of Personal Injury law since 1994. I had conduct of fast and multi- track cases including employer’s liability, public liability, disease cases, deafness cases, stress at work cases and clinical negligence. I have worked as a Solicitor representing union members and private clients.
Contact Us
- 7A, Wellington Road East, Dewsbury, England, WF13 1HF, United Kingdom.
- Jordans Solicitors
- 01924868911
- [email protected]
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-matthews-0119a0134/
- twitter.com/jordansolicitor
- facebook.com/jordans.solicitors.yorkshire
