Alba Proteins Group Action Q & A

Wildriggs Rendering Site Group Action Q&A

Claim registration has now closed

Have you experienced an odour nuisance emanating from the Wildriggs Rendering Site?

You may be entitled to compensation as a result of the unpleasant odours alleged to have been generated by the Wildriggs Animal Rendering Site, Greystoke Road, Penrith. We are a law firm acting on behalf of over 70 families in your area who claim to be affected by the smell.

This Q&A will hopefully answer some questions you may have about the group action but should you have any other queries please do get in touch.

Q1. Why are Hugh James solicitors leading the group action?

Hugh James solicitors have extensive experience in dealing with environmental nuisance claims across the UK. We have recovered compensation totalling millions of pounds for clients, and secured an end to the ongoing nuisance in many cases.

We were contacted by local residents about the problems they were experiencing due to the alleged odour nuisance from the Wildriggs site. We were then appointed by order of the High Court to act as solicitors in the claims being brought against Alba Proteins (Penrith) Ltd.

Q2. Who can I talk to about this before registering with the group action?

We understand that you will have questions about joining a group action. We hope to answer as many of your questions in this letter as possible. However, we have also appointed a local resident, and group action member, to act as ambassador for anyone seeking further guidance about registering a claim.

The local ambassador will not be able to give you legal advice about the claim but he will be able to discuss the claim registration process and share his experience with you. You can also contact us directly. All contact details are shown at the end of this letter.

Q3. Am I eligible to make a claim?

If you own or rent a property in the site vicinity and have experienced an unreasonable nuisance at your home, you may be eligible to make a claim.

We will give you full advice about the merits of your individual claim once we have received your instructions.

Q4. Will it cost me anything to register as part of the group action?

We are representing residents under the terms of a “no win no fee” agreement where appropriate. Such claims are supported by an ‘after the event insurance’ policy to cover any potential cost liability. We will provide you with full written details about the agreement should you wish to register a claim.

Q6. If the case is successful, will this stop the odours?

If we win the group action residents may also be entitled to an injunction to prevent the continuation of the nuisance in the future.

Q7. How do I to register my claim?

All group action registrations need to be with us by the court cut off date. To register your claim you need to contact us directly (contact details below) to register your claim before 4pm on Friday 30^th September 2011. You can also register by completing the online form complete the Wildriggs registration form.

Please note that the registration process involves a number of steps which need to be completed by 30^th September 2011. If you would like to make a claim, please contact us as soon as possible to ensure that the process is completed by the cut off date imposed by the High Court.

Q8. What will happen if I do not register my claim in time?

A strict time limit has been imposed by the High Court. If you do not register your claim by Friday 30^th September you will not be able to register your claim and participate in the group action unless you make an application to the High Court demonstrating wholly exceptional circumstances as to why you failed to register ahead of the cut off date. Therefore, if you have been affected by the unpleasant odours which you believe to be emanating from the Wildriggs Animal Rendering Site it is very important that you contact us as soon as possible.

Q9. How will my claim be processed?

Once your claim is registered with us it will then be processed as part of a group action. If you want to be updated on the progress of the case or have any questions you could contact us directly or get in touch with Mr Paris, your local ambassador.