Who? Des Collins, senior partner, Collins Solicitors, Hertfordshire.

Des Collins

Why is he in the news? He is representing 1,500 victims of the infected blood scandal. Last month the government announced that thousands of the scandal’s victims will each receive an interim compensation payment of £100,000.

Thoughts on the case: ‘I believe this commitment [by the government] is a step in the right direction, however it isn’t the end of the story. This doesn’t represent anything like meaningful compensation for those who continue to suffer day-to-day from the dreadful failures on the part of the Department of Health back in the 1970s and 1980s. There’s still no indication as to when those not included in the recent announcement will finally receive recognition and due compensation for which they have been campaigning for over several decades. This long wait for justice has been both heartbreaking and frustrating for all of those both infected and affected. With many desperately needing funds just to survive, many victims simply cannot afford to wait any longer. The fight will go on until full and proper compensation for all those who have suffered has been received.’

Dealing with the media: ‘One of the main obstacles I’ve encountered throughout my dealings with the media has been misinformation. All too often, we’ve faced an issue whereby misleading and inaccurate official facts and figures relating to the infected blood scandal have been released, which has set the media off down a false path. Wading through the myths to correct inaccuracies and ensure that the truth is out there has proven really challenging, but is nevertheless of the utmost importance to the integrity of our campaign for accountability and justice for all the infected and affected.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘As a child there is often (perhaps too great) an emphasis on carving out one’s identity through your career path. For me, it’s always been the law, with the problem-solving aspect of the profession playing a key role in its appeal.’

Career high: ‘The 2009 landmark High Court ruling that Corby Borough Council’s negligent clean-up of a steelworks site had a potential causal link to deformities in local newborns. This finding was central to our 2010 legal victory that meant so much to my clients.’

Career low: ‘Telling families who’d lost loved ones in the Watford, Southall and Paddington rail disasters that gross negligence or corporate manslaughter charges either could not be brought or would be ineffective in holding those responsible to account.’

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