Katie O’Byrne acts for Greek Cypriot claimants in settlement of torture claims against UK Government

The UK Government has settled 33 civil claims brought against the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Secretary of State for Defence by Greek Cypriots for their treatment in detention during the Cyprus Emergency from 1955-1959. This included claims of torture and sexual violence.

The UK Government has not admitted liability, but has agreed to pay a sum of £1,000,000 in damages with costs to be determined. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Alan Duncan, has announced the settlement in Parliament.

Katie O’Byrne has acted for the Claimants since 2016, instructed by KJ Conroy & Co. Katie was initially instructed for her expertise in international law relating to torture, and was retained as part of the counsel team. She was led by senior counsel from Brick Court Chambers and Matrix Chambers.

KJ Conroy & Co said: “This is an excellent result for the Claimants which brings this long running litigation to an end and goes some way towards putting right a historic wrong.”

Press coverage is here.