James Robottom, acting pro bono, successfully represented a victim of modern slavery in his appeal to the First Tier Tribunal against his award under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The appellant, Mr A, is one of the victims of one of England’s most notorious modern slavery cases. He was held for over 25 years by the Rooney family, subject to hard forced labour and physical and mental abuse. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority’s original award was for £1,600. On appeal the First Tier Tribunal awarded Mr A over £350,000 – one of the biggest ever compensation awards to a victim of modern slavery in England and Wales.
James was instructed by a team at Freshfields comprised of Partner Christopher Stothers, Associate Liam Symonds, Trainee Solicitor Wannisa Johnston, Legal Solutions Specialist Adil Khan and former Paralegal Hannah Vo.