Alan Collins

Who? Alan Collins, 43-year-old solicitor-advocate and director at Dyer Burdett & Co in Havant, Hampshire.

Why is he in the news?Negotiated compensation for five Berkshire men for the physical and sexual abuse they suffered in a children’s home 40 years ago.

The victims received undisclosed damages in an out-of-court civil settlement from the insurers of the now defunct Berkshire County Council. The abuse took place at the council-run Green Field House in Maidenhead between 1964 and 1970. This is the latest settlement negotiated by Collins, who represented nine other victims who were resident at the same home. They were compensated in 2006. The home was managed by the late Don Prescott, who is alleged to have abused the boys and rented them out to paedophiles.

Route to the case: ‘The five claimants came forward after hearing about the original case.’

Thoughts on the case: ‘I am very pleased for them, given what they have had to endure. They had to go to a kids’ home but then they were abused. They have kept themselves together and had the courage to come forward. It is a taboo subject and they have all been brave.’

Dealing with the media: ‘There is a lot more understanding from the media now. Journalists used to be interested in the salacious side but now they recognise that these people are fighting to get justice.’

Career highlight: ‘It has to be the initial court settlement in 2006, as it was the culmination of four years work.’

Low point: ‘During an industrial compensation claim after a guy fell off a ladder, the district judge tried to persuade my opponent and I that the Road Traffic Act covered building accidents. We had an argument with the judge and I thought, “what am I doing here?” In the end he made us go to the judges’ library to find out what the law was. When we came back he realised he was wrong.’