UK hearing into World Trade Center attacks to get underway

Families of the British victims of the 9-11 disaster will finally get a chance to seek compensation when the UK hearing kicks off on Thursday, in what is believed to be the first UK civil case presided over by a US judge.

Special Master Kenneth Feinberg is flying into the UK to rule on the hearing of the September 11 Victims Compensation Fund and decide damages for the relatives of the six UK nationals who were killed in the World Trade Center.

The fund was set up in November 2001 under US federal law. The scheme puts no limit on the amount of compensation paid, and the payout is expected to reach into the millions.

Former Thompson’s partner Simon Walton, who is now based in the US, is representing the families on a pro bono basis.