News In Focus
20 December 2006
Dean to act pro bono for Farepak victims
The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates has agreed to represent the Farepak victims trying to recover the money they lost to the failed savings scheme, through the Faculty's Free Legal Services Unit.
Roy Martin QC will waive his usual fees of up to £5,000 a day in looking at the avenues open to the 150,000 people in the UK, 30,000 of them in Scotland, who between them lost an estimated £45 million when the parent company of the Christmas savings club, went bust in October.
The Faculty's scheme helps deserving clients in civil cases who do not qualify for legal aid. A number of leading advocates have indicated their willingness to take on cases through the scheme, which was little used until given a recent relaunch.
Louise McDaid, the chair of the Victims Committee, said she would be meeting Mr Martin tomorrow and was delighted that he had chosen to represent the victims. She said her group felt that their money had been stolen and whoever was responsible needed to be held accountable.
Savers in Scotland lost an average of £400 each when Farepak's owner European Home Retail collapsed.