Access to justice
For many survivors of abuse involving powerful institutions, justice exists in theory but not in practice. Barriers like cost, risk, and systemic bias make it nearly impossible to pursue accountability.
Justice denied
For survivors of abuse connected to Harrods and other powerful institutions, access to justice remains largely theoretical. Civil claims are prohibitively expensive, risky, and structurally biased in favour of defendants with vast resources and reputational influence.
It is not uncommon for survivors of such cases to be denied representation altogether because their cases are seen as commercially unviable under current funding and cost regimes. Legal aid is largely unavailable, affordable insurance does not exist, and existing damages frameworks undervalue lifelong trauma.
The result is a justice system that protects wealth and power rather than truth and accountability — leaving survivors without meaningful routes to redress.
NOA Action
Access to Justice: Written evidence submitted by No One Above
This submission by No One Above (NOA) responds to the Justice Committee’s Access to Justice Inquiry.
It highlights the systemic barriers survivors face when bringing civil claims against powerful or well-resourced abusers, including prohibitive costs, lack of affordable insurance, restrictive limitation laws, and undervalued damages. NOA argues that the current system effectively denies survivors justice, forcing many into silence or unsafe settlements.
The submission calls for reforms to costs protection, funding, and legal aid, alongside the creation of independent, perpetrator-funded statutory redress schemes to provide fair, trauma-informed justice.
