Harrods challenges law firm’s compensation cut for al Fayed abuse victims

Harrods has urged lawyers acting for survivors of abuse perpetrated by its former owner Mohamed al Fayed to review plans to take a large cut of claimants’ compensation.

KP Law is proposing to take up to 25% of compensation awards for handling the case meaning some claimants could miss out on tens of thousands of pounds to the law firm, Sky News reported.

The compensation package drawn up by Harrods’ lawyers mean that some claimants will be eligible for almost £400,000 including general damages awards of up to £200,000, subject to a psychiatric assessment.

A document published online named several law firms representing victims that have agreed not to take a cut of the compensation payout. KP Law is not on the list.

A Harrods spokesperson told the publication: “The purpose of the Harrods Redress Scheme is to offer financial and psychological support to those who choose to enter the scheme, rather than as a route to criminal justice.

“With a survivor-first approach, it has been designed by personal injury experts with the input of several legal firms currently representing survivors.

“Our hope is that everyone receives 100% of the compensation awarded to them but we understand there is one exception among these law firms currently representing survivors who is proposing to take up to 25% of survivors’ compensation. We hope they will reconsider given we have already committed to paying reasonable legal costs.”

KP Law added: “KP Law is committed to supporting our clients through the litigation process to obtain justice first and foremost as well as recovering the maximum possible damages for them.

“This will cover all potential outcomes for the case. Despite the Harrods scheme seeking to narrow the potential issues, we believe that there are numerous potential defendants in a number of jurisdictions that are liable for what our clients went through, and we are committed to securing justice for our client group.”

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