Simpson Millar

Simpson Millar is a specialist law firm supporting survivors of childhood abuse across England and Wales, with expertise in civil compensation claims, CICA applications and abuse in institutional settings.

Contact Information

Website: www.simpsonmillar.co.uk

Telephone: 0800 260 5010 

Enquiry form: www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/abuse-claims-solicitors/#form

Office hours:

Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 6pm

About the Firm

At Simpson Millar, our specialist Abuse Solicitors have been supporting survivors of childhood abuse across England and Wales for many years. We advise people who have experienced abuse in a wide range of settings, including schools, care homes, foster care, religious organisations, sports clubs, youth organisations and other institutions, as well as those considering claims against an individual. 

Our team advises on the legal options that may be available, including civil compensation claims and applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). We offer a range of funding options, including Legal Aid and No Win No Fee arrangements where appropriate. 

We understand that people seek legal advice for many different reasons. Some want to understand their legal rights, some wish to pursue compensation, while others want answers or accountability from those responsible. Whatever your reason for getting in touch, our role is to provide clear, practical legal advice so you can make an informed decision about your next steps. 

Areas of Expertise

    • Individual abusers: we bring claims for survivors of abuse against an individual where they have sufficient assets. 

      Civil compensation claims: We represent survivors in civil claims against organisations and individuals in respect of both recent and non-recent abuse. We bring claims in respect of the following: 

      • Local authorities: we bring claims in respect of abuse in foster care, childrens’ homes or when the local authority has failed to protect a child from experiencing abuse. 
      • Religious organisations: we bring claims for survivors of abuse by those working or volunteering in a religious organisation such as a church or synagogue.  
      • Schools and educational settings: we bring claims for survivors of abuse in respect of abuse by those working or volunteering in an education setting. This can include teachers and caretakers. We can also bring claims for survivors of abuse by a peer if the organisation should have prevented it. 
      • Sports and youth organisations: we bring claims for survivors of abuse by those working or volunteering in a sports club or facility. This includes the scouts and sports clubs such as swimming clubs. 
      • Abuse in Hospitals: we bring claims for survivors of abuse by those working or volunteering in hospitals or other medical settings. We can also bring claims for survivors of abuse by another patient if the organisation should have prevented it. 

    Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims: We advise survivors on applications for compensation to the CICA, including eligibility and appeals where appropriate. 

Why Survivors Choose Us

Our Child Abuse Solicitors have a national reputation for being compassionate, caring, and driven to get survivors the compensation they need to move forward. Members of our team have advised on national inquiries and are proud members of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) and follow its Code of Conduct.  
 

By choosing Simpson Millar, you can trust that we will: 

  • Listen with care and without judgement 
  • Treat your personal information with the utmost confidentiality 
  • Signpost you to specialist support organisations for practical and emotional support 
  • Explain everything in clear, plain English 
  • Keep you informed at every stage and explain what each decision means for you 
  • Handle the legal process so you can focus on yourself 
  • Respond promptly to your calls and emails 
Counselling session

Trauma-Informed Approach

We recognise that speaking about abuse can be distressing and that every survivor’s experience is different. Our team works in a compassionate, trauma-informed way, giving you time to tell your story in your own words and at your own pace.  

We understand that you may not remember every detail immediately, and there is no expectation that you will. We explain the legal process clearly, avoid unnecessary legal jargon and keep you informed throughout. We also recognise that legal support is only one part of recovery and, where appropriate, can signpost you to specialist organisations offering practical and emotional support. 

What to Expect

  1. Initial call: Your first conversation with us is completely confidential. One of our team will take some initial information about your individual circumstances. 
  2. Case assessment: One of our specialist Abuse Solicitors will review your case and advise whether you may be able to bring a claim. We will only recommend pursuing a claim where we believe there are reasonable prospects of success. Whether you choose to bring a claim is entirely your choice. 
  3. Next steps: If you decide to proceed, we will explain the claims process, discuss any available funding options and keep you informed throughout your case.  
A male survivor sit on a lakeshore looking out at the lake

Meet the Team

Nathalie Swanwick

Nathalie Swanwick

Senior Associate Solicitor & Team Leader, Abuse Claims 

Biography 

  • Nathalie specialises in representing survivors of abuse and has extensive experience in civil compensation claims, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) applications and redress schemes. She also represented survivors during the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), reflecting her commitment to improving outcomes for survivors both inside and outside the courtroom. 
  • Nathalie has been representing survivors of abuse since 2010 (qualified as a Solicitor in 2013). 
  • Nathalie is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL) and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

Joshua Hurst 

Associate Solicitor, Abuse Claims 

Biography 

  • Joshua represents survivors of abuse in civil compensation claims, supporting clients through sensitive and often complex cases. He is experienced in handling claims involving abuse in a range of settings and is committed to making sure clients feel listened to, supported and clearly informed throughout the legal process. 
  • Joshua has worked at Simpson Millar since 2019, with experience in the Abuse team since the beginning of his legal career.
  • Joshua is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers. 

Accreditations & Memberships

Simpson Millar is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers and follows the ACAL Code of Conduct. 

Locations

We support survivors across England and Wales, with our head office in Leeds and further offices in Bristol, Cardiff, Lancaster, Liverpool, London and Manchester. 

Appointments can be arranged by telephone or video call, as well as in person at one of our offices. We can discuss any accessibility or communication needs in advance so that arrangements can be made in a way that works for the individual. 

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