The Harrods Redress Scheme was launched on 31 March 2025,  to compensate those sexually assaulted by Mohamed Al-Fayed whilst in his role as Chairman at Harrods. The scheme has also includes the ability to claim compensation for wrongful intimate examinations/ testing of employees. The scheme will compensate individuals for psychiatric injury and associated losses including impact to education/employment and treatment. Those who seek to enter the redress scheme have the option to have a medical assessment. Damages awarded could reach the following, should the applicant proceed with the medical route – General Damages of up to £200,000 Aggravated Damages of up to £25,000 Wrongful Testing Fixed Payment(s) of up to £10,000 Treatment Costs Work Impact Payment of up to £150,000 Those seeking representation will receive their full damages with solicitors’ costs being paid by Harrods. The scheme will not be raising the defence of limitation – that the abuse took place more than three years prior, which could be a significant hurdle for a civil claim. The scheme has now been open for six months.  The Scheme will remain open for applications until 31 March 2026.  The Scheme will be closed to any new applications after this date. If you have been affected and would like some advice, please do contact Danielle Vincent on 07721 970180 or [email protected]

Bolt Burdon Kemp is delighted to be awarded the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award for 2025. The ERS Silver Award recognises employers who support the people of our armed forces community – service leavers, veterans, spouses, partners or young people of serving personnel, Reservists, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. Silver award businesses go beyond standard HR policies to truly assist the armed forces, often actively recruiting from the community, offering paid leave for reservist work, and offering flexible working, which is a big focus at BBK. We are incredibly proud to lead the field when it comes to flexible working as we aspire to have the very best policy in the legal industry. Our people can work when, where and how they like providing it works for everyone, and they are meeting expectations and achieving their goals and targets. This means our flexible working policy supports all those wishing to take up voluntary opportunities or reserve commitments. In addition, BBK will pay normal pay for a maximum of 10 days for reserve force colleagues to undertake continuous reserve training once per year. A mobilisation plan will be made on an individual basis, formed with the needs of the service, the business, and fully involving the colleague and their unit. We do not have a one size fits all mobilisation plan; it is person-centred and individual. BBK signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant seven years ago, pledging a commitment to treating the community fairly. The convenient underlines that those in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, should face no disadvantage to others. It also notes that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, which is why we offer to pay for absences due to training leave. Natasha Mason, veteran and solicitor in our Military Claims Team, said of the award: “Since signing the Covenant in August 2018, BBK has embraced our armed forces community. From employing veterans and military spouses, providing work experience opportunities for children of serving personnel, and encouraging colleagues to consider reserve opportunities; to supporting military charities through financial donations, training or pro bono opportunities – this award recognises the tireless commitment from all my BBK colleagues.” BBK thanks the team at Greater London Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for their guidance and support throughout the application process and we look forward to fostering a working relationship with them over the coming years. Find more information on how you can get involved and support the Armed Forces Covenant here.