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Legal services

Legal services

Abuse Claims

Our specialist abuse team is recommended by the Legal 500. The 2025 edition notes our expertise in historic sexual abuse cases and praises lawyer Elizabeth Duncan, for being ’excellent with vulnerable clients’. For a free case review and details of our popular No Win, No Fee funding scheme call 0333 888 0404 or send an email to info@sleeblackwell.co.uk Our team is currently dealing with claims in relation to the Mohamed Al Fayed/Harrods scandal.

Free case review 0333 888 0404
How we can help

We can assist with abuse claims against individuals as well as a range of institutions such as schools, churches and local authorities. We will listen to your story with patience and treat you with respect, compassion and sensitivity.

Making an abuse claim

We understand that victims of abuse often repress experiences until adulthood and we are experienced in dealing with cases involving historic abuse. We also appreciate how hard it can be for survivors to approach a solicitor or reveal the full details of their case to a stranger. We therefore aim to make the process as simple and as painless as possible.

We operate a FREE national helpline which abuse survivors can call in complete confidence and without obligation. We also have a separate website dedicated to abuse law which contains more detailed information about this highly specialised area of law.

Specialist abuse lawyers

Our lawyers are specialists in abuse law and are familiar with the legal complexities that can arise in this niche area. Our expertise has led to us being recommended by the prestigious Legal 500 directory.

Partner Elizabeth Duncan is a keen supporter of the NSPCC, and due to her efforts the firm won the NSPCC’s Childhood Champion Award for Corporate Partner of the Year for South West and Channel Islands 2018.

Department head James McNally won the DASLS Solicitor of the Year Award 2024.

Lawyers with a national profile

Our lawyers are regularly consulted by the media on issues of abuse law. We have appeared on live ITV News and Sky News broadcasts covering abuse stories. In the print we have been featured on the front page of The Sunday Times and in The Guardian.

When to take legal action

Proposals have been announced to change the usual limitation period (time limit) to make it easier for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring their claim.

However, even if these changes do come in risks will remain, so we encourage claimants not to delay, and to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

Funding your claim

We offer a number of flexible funding options, including our popular No Win – No Fee scheme, so fear of legal costs should never deter an abuse survivor from seeking justice.

Contact our free confidential helpline by phone for an informal chat on 0333 888 0404, or simply send an email to us at  info@sleeblackwell.co.uk.

Independent recognition

The Legal 500

The Legal 500

"Elizabeth Duncan, leveraging her ability to be ’excellent with vulnerable clients’, regularly handles historic sexual abuse cases." Legal 500, 2025 edition. "Slee Blackwell have vast experience of complex claims arising out of sexual abuse." Legal 500, 2024 edition.

Areas of specialism

The work we handle.

Claims against schools, churches, youth organisations and employers

Some abuse claims are made against the individual perpetrator, which is always an option when the abuser has the means to pay compensation. When the abuser does not have sufficient finances to do so claims can be pursued against any organisation that was responsible for safeguarding the victim. This includes schools, churches, youth organisations, employers and any other organisation that owes the victim a duty of care. And because they are usually insured they are therefore able to meet a compensation award.

Criminal injury scheme claims

Where compensation cannot be recovered from the abuser or an institution responsible for safeguarding the victim we may be able to claim recompense from the government under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, also known as the CICA.

Claims against local authorities

Children who, under the care of a local authority, should be safe but sometimes they become the victims of abuse. Authorities do not always act as quickly as they should. This can result in them leaving vulnerable children in dangerous situations. When this leads to abuse occurring the Local Authority can be held liable for failing to remove the child.

Historic abuse claims

Many of the cases we deal with involve allegations of historic abuse. Although strict deadlines apply to mainstream compensation claims, the rules relating to abuse are a little more lenient. If you have been the victim of abuse in the past then you may still be able to recover compensation. But don’t delay any further. Contact us as soon as you can.

Our people

Work with our team.

Find your solicitor

Partner

James McNally

James McNally, who was named DASLS Solicitor of the Year 2024, joined Slee Blackwell in 2001 and is the head…

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Partner

Carly Sylvester

Carly Sylvester is a partner in our personal injury and fatal accidents team. Carly, who has a first-class honours degree…

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Case outcomes

Our success stories.

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Featured insights

Useful reading from the team.

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Abuse Claims

Hospital abuse

If you have suffered hospital abuse and would like to know if you can claim compensation, then contact our free confidential helpline on 0333 888 0404 or send an email…

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