…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
A judge has approved a “global” settlement of compensation claims made by those affected by the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire.
Lawyers representing bereaved relatives, survivors, and local residents told a London High Court hearing that there had been a global settlement of about 900 cases and a global sum of around £150 million compensation agreed.
Defendants involved in the settlement included the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the London Fire Commissioner, and cladding manufacturer Arconic.
The settlement relates only to civil court damages claims and will not affect the work of the public inquiry, according to Richard Hermer KC, who represented claimants.
He told the judge that “no amount of money will ever truly compensate for what the claimants have had to endure” and that the settlement “does not right the wrong, it does not secure accountability”.
The judge specifically approved financial arrangements for settlements of claims made by eight children, while arrangements for other children will be considered at further hearings.
In addition to compensation, defendants have agreed to put about £50 million into a “restorative justice project”.
The project, which has yet to be finalised, will feature programmes that benefit the community affected by the fire.
The government is contributing about £25 million to the project, while Arconic is contributing around £6 million.
Analysis and Commentary
The approval of a global settlement of compensation claims made by those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire marks a significant step in the ongoing aftermath of the tragedy.
The settlement is a recognition of the immense loss and suffering endured by the victims and their families and will provide some financial relief to those affected.
However, as Richard Hermer KC stated, no amount of money will ever truly compensate for what the claimants have had to endure, and the settlement does not secure accountability for the tragedy.
The fire, which claimed 72 lives, was a result of a failure in safety regulations and standards.
The public inquiry into the fire has highlighted systemic failures in the housing, construction, and regulatory systems.
The Grenfell Tower fire has also exposed wider issues of inequality, social housing, and the need for greater accountability and transparency in the construction and housing industries.
The settlement and the restorative justice project are positive steps, but there is a need for fundamental changes in the systems and structures that allowed the tragedy to occur.
The settlement will also raise questions about the role of defendants, including the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Arconic, in the tragedy.
The settlement does not secure accountability for the wrongs committed, and there is a need for further investigation and transparency to ensure that similar tragedies do not occur in the future.