James Counsell KC speaks to Bloomberg on damages awards in UK in non recent sexual abuse claims

Victims of sexual abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed are seeking £150 million from Harrods who have accepted vicarious liability. Bloomberg spoke to James Counsell KC, an expert in abuse claims, on the likelihood of success.

Almost 300 women have made claims of sexual abuse at the hands of former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed. The compensation figure is likely to be at least £100 million and may be as much as £150 million, well above the £62 million provision Harrods made in 2024 for redress payments, according to KP Law, which represents about 275 people, most of whom are former employees.

The estimate is based on analysis of individual cases, taking into account lost earnings and pensions, the cost of treatment and other losses. Harrods has accepted “vicarious liability” and has said it is “committed to ensuring all eligible survivors receive compensation for the appalling abuse they suffered”.

However, Bloomberg has spoken to experts, including Outer Temple’s James Counsell KC, on the likelihood of these claims succeeding and on the size of awards which individuals may expect to receive from UK courts or in settlements.

James, who specialises in sexual and physical abuse cases, said it can be hard for claimants to win significant sums because English courts have traditionally awarded very low amounts to people who have suffered sexual abuse.

He was lead counsel in two claims against the Jehovah’s Witness organisation, the second of which is now a leading Supreme Court authority on vicarious liability and limitation.  He has also acted for numerous claimants in cases against football and other sports clubs and entities, religious and educational organisations and the Scout Association. He says that, unlike other form of personal injury litigation, damages for sexual abuse, even where the injury has been life-changing and permanent are very low indeed, despite attempts to raise the bar in recent years.  It is sadly very infrequent for a claimant to receive a six-figure sum for the injuries themselves and difficulties in proving that there were not other factors which have caused or contributed to the claimant not being able to work are often insuperable.  Additionally, unless there is a compensation scheme, claimants find other hurdles in their way such as the discretionary limitation bar  for claims which are more than three years old.  

A key factor in Harrods’ legal battle with the estate is what due diligence was done as part of the 2010 acquisition by The Qatar Investment Authority. Additionally, the Metropolitan Police Service is investigating whether anyone can be criminally charged over Fayed’s actions. Harrods has said it’s also investigating whether anyone internally knew about Fayed’s abuse but hasn’t committed to publishing the findings.

Read the full Bloomberg article, here. Written and published by Katherine Griffiths on 13 September 2026.

To find out more about James Counsell’s expertise in this area, contact Paul Barton on +44 (0)207 427 4907 or Graham Woods on +44 (0)207 427 4902 for a confidential discussion.

External Publications, News 2 Oct, 2026