The JEP has previously revealed that up to 100 former residents of Les Chênes in the 1990s and 2000s were working with lawyer Alan Collins to begin legal action against the States.
And during this week’s States sitting, Children’s Minister Sam Mézec confirmed that ministers would be discussing a potential redress scheme and – through Lacey Advocates and officers within the Chief Minister’s department – meeting Mr Collins.
Former residents have described how their experiences have had life-long effects, leading to drug and alcohol misuse, depression and attempted suicides. A number of former residents have provided accounts of the harsh regime at Les Chênes including some claiming they were forced into solitary confinement, stripped naked and ignored when they thought they had been poisoned by fumes.
Responding to a question from Deputy Mike Higgins, Senator Mézec, said: ‘Lacey Advocates, which is the law firm appointed by the Council of Ministers to manage the historic abuse redress scheme, has been in regular and ongoing contact with the lawyer in question.
‘Subsequent to this a meeting between officers, Lacey Advocates and the claimants’ lawyer is scheduled to take place later this month.’
The compensation scheme previously offered to victims of historical abuse did not cover the time frame during which the complainants attended Les Chênes. The secure school was subsequently closed down.
Senator Mézec added: ‘We have said we were looking at the options that there are for providing some sort of redress scheme that may not be equivalent to the one that previously existed.
‘Where there is a difference here, I think, is the lawyer and the people he represents want a decision and rightly want to push us on getting a decision made, but we said we are not in a position to make that decision right now. However, it will be made in the next few months as to what road we go down to providing some sort of redress scheme.’
