Hello, I am Peter Garsden, a Solicitor Consultant working at Scott-Moncrieff & Associates Limited. I have been specialising exclusively in child abuse compensation claims since 1994 ie over 30 years. I was one of the first solicitors in the country to do these types of claims. To read more about me and my historical biography see my own website abuseadvice4survivors.co.uk
In the early days of the 1990’s little was known about the psychological effects of child abuse. There were no precedent legal cases, and no rules of Court designed to help victims/survivors of abuse make their way through the legal system. In 1998 I helped set up and was one of the founder members of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers which I have led for many years as President. We all recognised that solicitors needed educating about the correct way to deal with sensitive cases so as to avoid retraumatizing them, and provoking symptomology. Thus, from the very beginning, we set up a Code of Practice, which you can read on this site here
Between around 1994 and 2003 41 out of 43 Police Forces in the country conducted a major investigation into severe sexual and physical abuse in Children’s Homes in their area so widespread was the abuse in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. As a result I became the Lead Solicitor in over 25 Group Actions, the largest of which was the Manchester Children’s Homes cases which were settled eventually resulting in millions of pounds in compensation being paid to the survivors of mostly sexual abuse by residential care workers and others.
Next to come along were the celebrity cases against the likes of Jimmy Savile, Gary Glitter, Rolf Harris and others where abuse was committed in situations brought about by the celebrity status of stars of the media where often a blind eye was turned by those involved in the chaperoning of youngsters involved. At Abney Garsden McDonald, my former firm, we acted for many victims/survivors of abuse in many settings from 1994 until I sold the firm in 2016
Although I am past retirement age, I am still acting for the victims of abuse of all types who are seeking justice for the past criminal acts committed upon them. Fortunately, I still have my health, and have no plans to retire. To get in touch with me use the Contact Form on my website which you can access here – https://www.abuseadvice4survivors.co.uk/contact-us/