Digby Brown Partner Catherine Hammond appointed to lead UK group to improve justice for abuse survivors

Catherine Hammond has been appointed Joint Co-ordinator of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers’ (APIL) Child Abuse Special Interest Group.

She will now work with child abuse lawyers across the UK in a bid to remove barriers to justice, improve access to rehabilitation and contribute to the development of law and policy affecting survivors of abuse.

In her new role, Catherine Hammond will work alongside fellow Joint Co-ordinator Rebecca Sheriff of Bolt Burdon Kemp LLP to encourage engagement across the group and help shape its programme of meetings and wider activity.

Catherine, Partner in Digby Brown’s Non-Accidental team, said: “It’s a real honour to contribute to the work of APIL and its members in this area of law where there remains so much important work to be done. 

“Representing survivors of childhood abuse requires more than an understanding of the law.

“We need to understand the lasting effects of trauma and ensure survivors are treated with dignity, listened to and supported to make informed decisions.

“Scotland has seen significant developments in abuse law over the last decade, particularly in relation to limitation and survivor redress, and I hope I can bring this experience to the APIL group.

“By working together in this way we can hopefully improve trauma-informed practice, collaborate to overcome evidential challenges and positively contribute to the development of the law.”

Catherine has acted in significant historic abuse litigation, including B & W v The Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth, in which the Inner House held a fair trial remained possible notwithstanding the passage of time since the alleged historic childhood abuse.