Alan Collins, Solicitor – available to comment on James Braid, Bay House School teacher convicted of sex offences

Alan Collins, Solicitor – available to comment on James Braid, Bay House School teacher convicted of sex offences involving four other boys over a 20-year period. 023 9249 2472 Alan Collins is a Director of Havant-based Solicitors, Verisona, specialising in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence. He is one of only a handful of solicitors in Hampshire who can act on behalf of clients in the High Court, having achieved the Higher Rights of Audience accreditation in March 2006. Alan also specialises in sexual abuse cases and famously won an out out-of-court settlement for 5 men “horrendously abused” by a paedophile ring in a children’s home in Berkshire 40 years ago. This is despite the fact that it is very difficult to make a successful claim after so many years because of the law on limitation. In the last 5 years, Alan has handled over 60 sexual abuse cases. He has seen an alarming increase in the number of cases arising involving sex abuse victims, many of whom suffer from mental ill health as a result of the abuse they have suffered. Alan comments, ‘Many of the victims come forward because they want recognition for what has happened in the past and to gain closure. They are not necessarily looking for compensation.’ He receives many referrals from rape counsellors. Alan quite rightly comments that 20 – 25 years ago no-one would bring a sex abuse case to a solicitor as no-one wished to talk about such situations. Even around 15 years ago, people hadn’t heard of paedophile rings, however, it is clear now just how organised these are and, how entrenched sex abuse is in today’s society. There are still, however, many solicitors who will not handle such cases. Alan is available to provide comment to the media on:  Sexual Abuse Cases  Personal Injury  Clinical Negligence  Negotiation and Mediation  Dispute Resolution Alan is a member of the prestigious Law Society’s Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury Panels. He is a Fellow of the College of Personal Injury Lawyers (CPIL). He is a Panel Solicitor for Headway and the Spinal Injuries Association and is also a Qualified Mediator having qualified with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and ADR Group. For further press information please contact Debbie Osborne on 0845 345 6969 or email debbie@lcm.co.uk