Law firm reaches out of court settlement with footballer Ched Evans
Liverpool law firm Brabners has agreed an out of court settlement with footballer Ched Evans.
According to widespread reports the Welsh striker has agreed an out-of-court settlement close to £800,000.
Solicitors from the firm defended him against a rape charge which saw him jailed for two-and-a-half years.
The conviction was subsequently quashed and Ched Evans was cleared of all charges.
The 30-year-old, who started his career at Manchester City, is currently on loan at Fleetwood Town from Sheffield United.
He was convicted following a trial of raping a 19-year-old woman at a Premier Inn North Wales in May 2011.
In court he was represented by solicitors from Brabners.
He was released after serving half of a five-year sentence and went in to clear his name.
In 2016, the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial.
Private investigators gathered new evidence and a new defence team, led by Judy Khan QC, was appointed.
A second trial at Cardiff Crown Court resulted in a not guilty verdict.
Evans was due to face Brabners in the High Court this month but an out of court settlement has been reached.
A statement from Ched Evans said: “In late 2016 Ched began litigation against his original defence team of Matthew Bennett and Stuart Ripley of Brabners LLP for negligent defence.
“On Thursday 4 April Ched accepted an out of court settlement.”
A spokesperson for Brabners said: “We are glad that Ched Evans has agreed not to pursue this case, which we believe was entirely without merit.
“Brabners put forward a strong defence of Mr Evans claim following a thorough process and we were prepared to vigorously defend our handling of the case.”
