Residents and businesses around an industrial estate in the Kirby area of Merseyside claim that toxic discharges from the plant have triggered a range of ailments and illnesses. At fault, they allege, according to the Liverpool Echo newspaper, is a Portuguese-owned business called Sonae.

No win, no fee

According to the report, lawyers acting for the claimants maintain the case will be the largest class-action suit ever in the UK. It is being run on the controversial conditional fee scheme, also known as no win, no fee, which means the law firms acting will only recover their fees if they win the case.
Indeed, the Eco reports the drama has impacted directly on one local law firm, which has offices half a mile from the Sonae plant. In addition to representing clients in the multi-party action, it has upped sticks and moved to the centre of Liverpool to escape any toxins allegedly pumped out from the factory chimney.
Sonae’s local managing director said the company would defend the action.