Peter Garsden, managing partner of Abney Garsden McDonald, a Cheshire firm, acted for a group of 168 victims of sexual and physical abuse at children’s homes across Manchester. The group was awarded £2,260,000 (about £15,000 per person) as compensation.

What were the challenges in this case and what are the implications?

To coordinate the disparate claims of between 100 and 200 child-abuse survivors into a group action. The subject matter is highly sensitive, it’s

in an area of law that is constantly changing and requires administrative as well as legal and communication skills and it stretched every legal sinew. For the future, the success of large compensation payouts against a local authority are likely to reinforce the changes that have already been made to improve childcare systems and help to ensure that this never happens again.

What was your worst day as a lawyer?

Being cross-examined by a sitting of the Home Affairs Select Committee into alleged false allegations in child abuse cases for two and a half hours in 2002. I thought my professional opinion would be sought on ways to improve the law. Rather, the committee was more interested in attempting to impugn my credibility in a wholly unexpected way. It reminded me of the Court of Star Chamber.

What was your most memorable experience as a lawyer?

Back in 1995 when the child abuse publicity started, fellow lawyers started to know who I was and pay me respect for what I did in a way to which I’d hitherto been unaccustomed.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

My grandfather for inspiring me to enter the professions and be ethical; my wife for putting up with the stress and professional pressure that child abuse work brings with it and giving me commonsense advice; my daughters for making me realise how special children are; my mother for giving me compliments whether I deserve them or not; and my staff for helping me to solve the unsolvable.

Why did you become a lawyer?

Because I have a strong sense of justice and fairness and want to act for people who appreciate what can be achieved, and say thank you when it is over. My parents were in the retail trade where the customer is always right. I chose a profession where I could be more in control of what I did.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?

Don’t do it unless you are dedicated to the subject matter and are prepared to work long hours, sometimes for little reward, but where the satisfaction when you win is immense.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

A lawyer in a larger practice with more partners, less stress, a contented wife, maybe grandchildren, with a better legal system for abuse victims than we have now.

l_tsang@hotmail.com

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