Gilbert Torres, the Columbian trade unionist who was kidnapped and tortured by paramilitaries in 2002, sought damages in respect of his kidnap and imprisonment against BP and 6 other related oil companies.

In 2012, Deighton Pierce Glynn protectively filed a damages claim case in the High Court which included a claim for false imprisonment, torture and assault against BP and 6 other oil companies registered in the UK and OCENSA in Columbia. Gilberto’s case received a boost with funding for expenses from Crowdjustice but such complex technical cases are very costly and there is no public funding for any aspect of the work.

The High Court recently ordered that Torres’ claim should end with no payment of costs.

Claire McGregor represented Gilberto, later assisted by David Hart QC.

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