Oxford Family Living in Hardship Due To Court Delays In Paying Out Compensation

An Oxford family says it is living on the breadline because of delays in the Court of Protection system which means compensation awarded to them following a road accident is not being paid.

Vincent Mullen from Headington is due to receive hundreds of thousands of pounds following a court settlement in May. However, his wife, Suzy, says their efforts to sort out the compensation with the Court Funds Office have left them confused and frustrated.

“We have endured seven years of hardship following my husband’s accident,” says Suzy Mullen. “When the settlement was finally reached we were understandably relieved.”

“Without the help and generosity of my own family we simply would not have been able to cope. We have all this money due us but are still having to rely on my family and borrow my niece’s car because the money is so slow at coming through.”

Communication with officers at the Court Funds Office, part of the Court of Protection, has become so protracted that Mrs Mullen has asked her solicitor, Michael Berrett of Wantage law firm, Charles Lucas & Marshall to deal with the Court on her behalf.

He says the delays the Mullens are experiencing are typical and part of a widespread problem.

“I have represented this family from the very start of the legal process and was delighted we eventually reached what was a fair and reasonable settlement,” he said.

“Not unreasonably, my client wants to buy a property more suitable for them than the one they are living in which is privately rented. We made a prompt application for the money to be released but are still waiting.

“There has to be a better way of doing things I would be interested to know if other people are experiencing the same problems and frustrations. This regime is designed to protect people’s finances but it is only fair that it facilitates access to those finances in order that people can improve the quality of their life.”

For further information please contact Michael Berrett on 01235 771234 or michael.berrett@clmlaw.co.uk