Abbie is a Senior Associate Solicitor in Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Abuse team and has been with the firm since 2011. She specialises in representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse and adults who have experienced sexual abuse or criminal assaults.
With extensive experience acting against a wide range of defendants — including individual abusers, the Scout Association, religious organisations, schools and local authorities — Abbie is recognised as a highly skilled and determined litigator. She has represented clients in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, demonstrating her ability to handle complex and precedent‑setting cases.
Specialist expertise in abuse claims
Abbie has built a strong reputation for uncovering institutional failings and securing justice for survivors. She is particularly known for her work exposing the scale of childhood sexual abuse within the Scout Association.
Her investigative work includes creating an interactive map highlighting more than 300 convicted Scout leaders, which has been widely referenced in the media and by campaigners. Abbie has been interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and featured in the File on 4 documentary “Scout’s Honour”, reflecting her standing as a trusted voice on abuse law.
A compassionate and client‑centred approach
Client care is central to Abbie’s practice. She supports survivors with compassion and clarity, ensuring they feel heard, valued and fully supported throughout the legal process. Her aim is to help clients move forward with their lives with a sense of closure and empowerment once their claim has concluded.
Campaigning and training
Abbie is committed to improving understanding of survivors’ rights and the civil justice routes available to them. She provides free training to Police forces across the country to help officers better support survivors considering civil claims. Organisations interested in arranging training are encouraged to contact her directly.
As a recognised voice in the media, Abbie frequently comments on developments in abuse law and contributes to national conversations about institutional accountability and survivor justice. Her commentary has appeared across major outlets including ITV News, BBC News, BBC Radio 4, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Law Society Gazette, The Athletic, the Daily Mail and Civil Society, among others. More of Abbie’s media contributions can be found below.
Abbie is a member of both the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
A powerful example of her work can be seen in Michelle’s story, where Michelle speaks about how Abbie supported and guided her through her abuse claim.
Media Contributions
- Trust “could have done more” to stop nurse who raped four women – ITV News
- Association of Child Abuse Lawyers Newsletter: Sexting – can victims claim damages in a civil court?
- Scout’s Honour? – BBC Radio 4
- Woman’s Hour – BBC Radio 4
- Scouts: Millions paid out over UK abuse in last 10 years, say lawyers – BBC News
- Court of Appeal reopens claims on child abuse duty of care – The Law Society Gazette
- Victims of ex-Watford physio feel club have ‘swept allegations under the carpet’ – The Athletic
- More than 250 convicted of child sexual abuse in UK and Ireland while in Scout movement – The Guardian
- More than 250 Scout leaders have been convicted of child sexual abuse – The Telegraph
- More than 250 people have been convicted of child sex abuse while working with the Scouts – Daily Mail Online
- Over £6m paid out to Scouts abuse victims in past decade, investigation finds – Civil Society
- Interactive map shows Scout leaders convicted of child abuse – Basingstoke Gazette
- Wave of sexual abuse claims expected to hit the Scouts as stories emerge on victim site – The Mirror
