Founded in 1999 by Phil Shiner, Public Interest Lawyers has been the subject of widespread controversy for its role in pursuing claims of abuse against members of the British military deployed during the Iraq War. The firm has levelled more than 1,000 claims of maltreatment – including torture and murder – against British soldiers over the last 10 years and has for the last 18 months been under investigation by the Legal Aid Agency amid claims that the firm may have bribed claimants. The Al-Sweady war crimes inquiry also shone a spotlight on the firm after concluding that the claims brought forward by some PIL clients were the products of ‘deliberate and calculated lies.’
Legal aid contract lost
Now, the London and Birmingham-based firm has announced that it will be forced to close after losing its contract with Legal Aid last month. Right-wing tabloid The Daily Mail has reportedly sought an order from the High Court that the firm had ceased to act for 187 Iraqi claimants in light of its ‘permanent closure’, which will take effect from 31 August.
Sources: The Telegraph; Law Gazette
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