Retired High Court judge Sir Rodney Gallen has heard claims of abuse and torture from Wellington people incarcerated at Lake Alice Hospital in the 1970s.
Sir Rodney has been appointed "determinator" under a $6 million deal between the Government and 95 people who in 1999 filed papers in the High Court claiming they were abused at the hospital, near Marton, between 1972 and 1977.
They claimed they were given the drug paraldehyde, which causes extreme localised pain, and electric shock treatment as forms of punishment.
Sir Rodney is to decide how the compensation money should be divided, but today at an inner city hotel where he met claimants he declined to comment on his work , citing a confidentiality clause in the settlement.
However, Christchurch lawyer Grant Cameron, who represents the claimants, said face-to-face meetings with Sir Rodney should be completed this week with a final meeting in Christchurch.
Mr Cameron said about half of the 95 claimants had asked to speak to Sir Rodney but he was not yet able to say what had been discussed.
"But it is fair to say that these discussions have simply reinforced dramatically the very compelling accounts that have already been relayed to the Government about what took place."
Mr Cameron said Sir Rodney hoped to have his report completed early in October.
Retired judge hears claims of Lake Alice torture
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