Small update: EVRi filed an acknowledgment of service on 30/11/2022 at 12:05:05 They intend to defend the entire claim. The response pack was signed by a "Jcobbett". I am now waiting for them to file a defence and for me to receive a DQ, after which I will go for mediation.

I'm afraid I've never heard of 'force purchasing' and I'd think it was only possible if you have age restricted products on open display. Is that what you do? My local hardware/DIY shop keeps all age restricted products behind the counter so if anyone asks to buy one the shop asks for ID before allowing the customer to touch the goods. As for civil action it's hard to think what the cause of action would be. Civil action in shops/selling context is usually about monetary compensation for financial loss but what financial loss have you suffered? Nor has the purchaser committed a crime. As I understand it the legal duty

I'm afraid I can't answer your specific question, but a point worth making all the same is, as with all age-restricted products, liability for the sale of them to people under age lies with you, and not the shop as an entity. Therefore this issue with 'force purchasing' is potentially a serious issue and one you'd want to prevent in future for this reason, never mind any additional ones. Edit: I do appreciate that in this case the purchaser appeared genuinely old enough to purchase, my point was more general.

I had a 5 year battle and won a 6 figure sum and without a solicitor in sight. I contacted NHSLA directly and they were actually helpful. The trick is to keep it simple. Get your own report done. Ignore talk of it costing 1,000's it shouldnt be more than 3 or 4 hundred. Get a list of approved experts from NHSLA and go directly to the expert yourself with your story and med records, submit the report to NHSLA and they are obliged to counter it by getting one done themselves. It's plain sailing after that and the 3 year rule shouldnt apply or count if NHSLA are aware of your claim.