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Sex abuse survivors are launching a US-style “class action” lawsuit against Celtic which would see the club face a multi-million pound damages claim.
Up to 25 victims of historical abuse at Celtic Boys Club are banding together to mount the “super case” using brand new powers under Scottish law.
Lawyers are now appealing for other victims to come forward in a move which they believe could see “dozens” more join the legal fight.
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, the firm acting for the survivors, has paid for a public notice to be published in Tuesday’s Record as the first step in a “group proceedings” action.
The notice urges anyone abused while playing football for the boys’ club to get in touch.
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Group proceedings were only enacted into the country’s legal system last year and this would be one of the first of its kind to call before a judge.
Such actions allow groups of two or more people with the same, or similar, claims to raise a single action in the Court of Session.
Patrick McGuire, partner with Glasgow-based Thompsons, said the move was “unprecedented”, not just in European football but likely the world game.
He said: “This is completely unique.
“I know of no other group actions, or involving such a large number of claimants, against any other club in Europe.
“I hope this a wake-up call for Celtic and they decide to face up to their responsibilities instead of rubbing salt in the wounds of survivors.”
Celtic previously said it’s “appalled by any form of historic abuse” but maintained it is a “separate entity” to the boys club.
Four men associated with Celtic Boys Club or Celtic have been convicted of abuse.
Last June, Thompsons started formal legal action against Celtic in connection with historic child abuse. Two “test cases” brought by victims are currently before the Court of Session while the firm represents a total of 25 survivors.
McGuire said the possibility of rolling these test cases into the group action was “actively under review”.
He said: “This case will be about whether Celtic FC are legally responsible for abuse that took place at the boys club.
“Group proceedings are a very new part of the Scottish system, introduced by an Act of Parliament, and we’ve looked at the rules and taken the view they’re our most appropriate vehicle.
“Celtic effectively say its’s a ‘shame’ and ‘we’re sorry for the survivors’ but the boys club has nothing to do with us.
“That raises high level issues of fact and law that, once established, will apply to all of those who survived abuse at Celtic Boys Club. Rather than having 20, 20, 50 or 100 cases looking at a legal connection between the football club and the boys club there will be a single action.
“Therefore the case can be advanced as efficiently and quickly as possible as well as giving the survivors we represent strength in numbers.”
Earlier this year, thousands of Scottish motorists won the right to bring a £20m compensation claim against Volkswagen Group over an emissions scandal.
McGuire said this was the first time group proceedings had been used and paved the way for the Celtic case.
The release of a public notice forms the first required step in the action. In the coming days, Thompsons is expected to raise an application for group proceedings formally with the courts and serve the Parkhead club with legal papers.
McGuire said “dozens” of new victims getting in touch was a “fair possibility”. He added: “I wouldn’t be surprised, on the evidence we’ve heard from our current clients, that there are many more survivors out there. We hope this move will give them the strength to come forward.”
Solicitors with Thompsons will investigate further claims of abuse to determine whether others can join the class action.
McGuire said if a group proceedings application was successful then a judge would hear the central point disputed by Celtic – that they’re legally responsible for abuse which took place at the boys club.
If that claim is upheld, the judge could decide on individual payouts to survivors.
McGuire, who said witnesses employed by Celtic over the years face giving evidence at any court hearing, hoped the case might be resolved in “no more than 12 to 18 months”.
He added: “Sadly until now, those in charge of Celtic Football Club have been playing games, playing semantics, and tried to swat away and browbeat survivors. We have always said that they should do the right thing.
“We know there is a moral responsibility on the club and it’s clear to anyone who applies their mind to it that there’s a legal responsibility.”
A Celtic spokesman said: “The club is continuing to deal with these sensitive matters in conjunction with its advisers.
“The club again expresses its sincere sympathy, regret and sorrow to those affected and reiterates that it will stand by its responsibilities, respecting the due process of law.”
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