Survivors of child abuse have received a significant boost following the government’s landmark announcement that time limits will no longer prevent them from bringing civil claims for compensation. This long-overdue change marks a crucial step forward in ensuring that survivors can pursue justice without unnecessary legal barriers standing in their way.

Until now, time limits have been a key battleground in child abuse claims, often used by those accused of abuse to argue that cases should not proceed. Previously, the law stated that survivors had until the age of 21 to bring a claim. If a claim was brought after this deadline, the survivor had to prove that proceeding with the case would not cause substantial prejudice to the defendant. In practice, this made it extremely difficult for many survivors to have their voices heard in court, as the legal burden was stacked against them. As a result, thousands of survivors were effectively denied access to justice.

The removal of these restrictive time limits represents a vital lifeline for survivors who, until now, may have felt locked out of the legal system. Many individuals who experienced abuse as children struggle for years—even decades—with the trauma before feeling able to come forward. The previous time limits failed to account for this reality, forcing many to remain silent rather than face an uphill legal battle.

David Greenwood, Head of the Child Abuse Compensation team at Switalskis, welcomed the change:

“The new law will mean that even those who tried in the past to bring a case but were prevented by the time limit can now try again. This truly is a boost to deserving survivors of child abuse. They will now be able to secure justice and accountability.”

With this new legal framework in place, survivors who may have previously been turned away due to time limits now have the opportunity to revisit their cases. This not only provides hope for those seeking compensation but also reinforces the principle that justice should not have an expiry date. Removing these restrictions acknowledges the long-term impact of abuse and the courage it takes for survivors to come forward.

At Switalskis, we understand how daunting it can be to take legal action, especially after being told in the past that time had run out. Our team is here to offer confidential advice and support to anyone considering bringing a claim. If you would like to speak to a member of our team in confidence, please contact us today by calling 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com