Manchester Arena Bombing: Senior Judge Approves Multi-Million Pound Damages Awards in Claims Led by Byrom Street Chambers
18th December 2025
Millions of pounds are set to be paid to victims of the Manchester Arena bombing after a senior judge approved damages of just under £20 million in a series of civil claims, led by counsel from Byrom Street Chambers.
Simon Kivington KC was instructed by Hudgells Solicitors and Winston Hunter KC was instructed by a number of Solicitors including Jackson Lees, Simpson Millar, Alderstone Solicitors, Hilary Meredith and Express Solicitors. The approvals mark a significant milestone in long-running civil proceedings arising from one of the most serious terrorist attacks in recent UK history.
The awards relate to 16 claims brought on behalf of children and claimants who lacked the mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings themselves. The highest individual award, totalling almost £11.4 million, was made to a teenager who suffered “catastrophic injuries” when Salman Abedi detonated a suicide bomb at the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017 as music fans were leaving an Ariana Grande concert.
The claims form part of a wider group litigation arising from the attack, which killed 22 people and left hundreds more with life-changing injuries. Following the conclusion of these court-approved cases, the remaining claims have also been settled, but the sums payable to those claimants who all have capacity remain confidential.
The identities of claimants in the 16 cases were protected by anonymity orders made by the court.
The defendants contributing to the settlement include Greater Manchester Police, British Transport Police, arena operator SMG Europe Holdings (now known as Legends Global Services Limited), and security provider Showsec International Ltd.
The settlements mark a significant milestone in long-running civil proceedings arising from one of the most serious terrorist attacks in recent UK history. In court, Simon Kilvington KC, who represented the majority of the claimants, said: “This is not a day of celebration. It is a moment to acknowledge the mistakes that were made and the unimaginable suffering our clients have endured over the past eight and a half years, Their strength and resilience have been extraordinary, and without that, we would not have reached this settlement. We now expect all parties to honour their commitment to do what they can to prevent those same mistakes from happening again.”
In a joint statement issued following the conclusion of the litigation, the parties said:
“On 22 May 2017, a devastating act of terrorism took place at Manchester Arena. Salman Abedi detonated a suicide bomb, killing 22 innocent people and leaving hundreds more with life-changing injuries. Many continue to live with the physical and emotional impact of that night.”
The statement confirmed that venue management was overseen by SMG Europe Holdings, crowd management was provided by Showsec International, and policing of the Arena was the responsibility of British Transport Police. Greater Manchester Police had also provided counter-terrorism security advice to the Arena in the years leading up to the attack.
A public inquiry, chaired by Sir John Saunders between 2020 and 2023, concluded that opportunities to prevent the attack had been missed.
The joint statement confirmed that a global settlement of the civil claims was reached on 16 December 2025. As part of that settlement, all contributing organisations issued formal apologies to the bereaved families and to survivors.