Watson Woodhouse Solicitor, Sarah Magson recently featured in BBC One’s Northern Justice, which followed her client, Andrew and his fight for justice.

After Middlesbrough man, Andrew, developed sepsis following a catastrophic injury resulting from the wall in his back garden collapsing, Sarah Magson launched a no-win-no-fee private prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act.

Having won the case, the owner of Andrew’s property and the neighbouring property were ordered to repair the dangerous wall. However, the judge ruled that the offending parties were not obliged to pay Andrew’s legal costs.

At the risk of setting a dangerous legal precedent for tenants in similar positions who are unable to afford a solicitor, Sarah had no choice but to go to the High Court. The judge agreed with Sarah and she was able to return to court in Middlesbrough where the original ruling was changed and Andrew’s costs were paid, preserving put-upon tenants’ access to legal representation against neglectful landlords in the future.

Sarah Magson commented, “If solicitors can’t represent their clients on a no-win, no-fee basis for individuals like Andrew, it means that they would not be able to go and get the improvements to the property.”

To watch the BBC One’s Northern Justice episode, please follow the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001cl32/northern-justice-series-1-episode-8

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