Providing Evidence For Colleagues In Legal Actions

Brigade officials in certain areas are concerned that management representatives may be persuading some members that they need not bother replying to requests for information from their colleagues’ legal representatives.

The FBU [and their legal representatives] would like to impress upon the membership the vital importance of providing witness statements or information to solicitors/representatives acting for individual members in accident and employment related claims.

Success in these legal actions depends on members supporting their colleagues by providing information direct to legal representatives whenever requested. These legal actions are funded and supported by your union.

Their success is a matter of importance not only to the injured member, but to all fire fighters who may otherwise find themselves continuing to face the same risks (and injuries) that a successful legal action could prevent.

With this in mind, the union wishes to assure all members that when providing information or witness statements to our legal representatives you have the protection of the law. Any attempt to threaten or deter a member from giving evidence, or to influence any evidence given, is a criminal offence.

Any member who believes he is being intimidated in respect of providing a statement to our legal representatives should contact his FBU representatives immediately.

Our legal representatives have a right to obtain evidence from you! You have a right to give them that evidence, without fearing interference! Our future safety and wellbeing requires us to exercise and defend our rights - in court if necessary.

Please continue to assist our legal representatives in their efforts to secure our members’ rights.

Please report to your union anyone attempting to deter you from doing so.