Practice Directions

North Wales Child Abuse Personal Injury claims

In The High Court of Justice, Queen's Bench Division Practice Direction

1. All Writs in which the plaintiff claims for damages for personal injury arising out of abuse, maltreatment and assaults perpetrated against them whilst they were in the care of various children's homes owned and operated by:

I. Clwyd County Council

II. Gwynedd County Council

III. The Bryn Alyn Community (Holdings) Ltd

IV. Clwyd Area Health Authority (now known as North Wales Health Authority)

and carried out by their employees, servants or agents, or any other actions arising from the same facts, should be issued out of the Central Office of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court.

2. All such actions which have either started in a District Registry or in a county court should be transferred forthwith to the Royal Courts of Justice.

3. All writs, pleadings and orders shall be marked on the top left hand side "North Wales Child Abuse Litigation".

4. Master Ungley shall be the assigned Master and the Honourable Mr Justice Scott Baker shall be the assigned judge.

5. When considering the transfer of a case which might have proceeded in a county court, the assigned Master should have regard to any potential prejudice as to costs.

6. This Practice Direction applies to all actions irrespective of the value of the plaintiff's claim.

7. This Direction in respect of transfers from the county court has the approval of the Lord Chancellor.

Lord Chief Justice
30 July 1998