Les Chenes compensation scheme (FOI)

Request

With reference to the recently announced Les Chênes Compensation Scheme. I would like to know who will make the final decision upon any Compensation Request? Their qualifications and experience in the field of such Compensation claims?

I would also like to know whether a person who was sent to Les Chênes by the Courts as a punishment, will not be compensated unless there are extraordinary circumstances or reasons behind their claim?

Response

Operational responsibility for the Scheme has been delegated to the Director General for Strategic Policy, Performance and Population. The Director General will make a decision on the redress payment following a recommendation from the Director of the Civil Division of the Law Officers’ Department, applying the scheme criteria, payment tariffs and bands agreed by the Council of Ministers and set out in the Scheme Terms and Conditions.

The Director of the Civil Division is an experienced Jersey Advocate and English Solicitor who has experience of dealing with personal injury claims.

The eligibility criteria for making an application are set out in the Scheme terms and conditions.

Any person who, while accommodated at Les Chênes secure residential unit, suffered due to the harsh regime and whose experiences at Les Chênes had a negative impact on their childhood can apply for redress. The harsh regime at Les Chênes included children being placed in isolation and being required to sleep or spend time in a ‘secure unit’.

The reasons why a Claimant came to be accommodated at Les Chênes is not taken into account in deciding whether they are eligible to bring a claim.