Personal injury news
30/10/2007

Solicitor returns to court at the age of 89

An 89-year-old personal injury solicitor has dusted down her legal robes and gone back into court to help a friend two years her junior.

The elderly widow spent her career fighting for clients' rights in the courtroom after qualifying as a solicitor way back in 1947, just two years after the end of World War Two.

She retired 25 years ago and settled down to enjoy the quiet life at her Somerset home, but a friend's recent misfortune saw her decide to make a return to her old stomping ground.

When her 85-year-old friend, also a widow, was knocked over by an unknown mugger last year and suffered a broken arm and a fractured leg, the retired personal injury solicitor felt she had no option but to come to her aid.

Twice the pair applied for damages from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and twice they were turned down. Deciding that just wasn't good enough, the pensioner prepared an appeal and demanded a hearing to fight her friend's corner.

Luckily her old legal skills seemed not to have deserted her and she was delighted to win the appeal, gaining her friend over £13,000 in personal injury compensation.

The 89-year-old told members of the media that the victory had been a very pleasant end to her legal career and said: "I'm so used to doing it that it didn't really worry me. I loved my life as a lawyer; if I could have my life over again I wouldn't change a thing."

The Somerset pensioner warned that despite her recent courtroom glory she won't be making a comeback as a personal injury solicitor, saying: "I think I'll fade into old age gracefully now."