Fifty nine women said they were assaulted by Ledward

Fifty-nine women who said they were assaulted by Kent surgeon Rodney Ledward have had their cases dismissed.

The allegations were made after the death of Ledward, who had already been struck off for bungling 13 operations.

The women were clients of solicitor Jane Loveday, based in Launceston, Cornwall, who is currently the subject of a Law Society inquiry.

On Monday the judge made final costs orders against the women.

The NHS's defence costs were put at �700,925 - about �200,000 has been recovered from 23 insured women; �15,000 per head is likely to come from 14 part legal-aided women; and 22 women have full legal aid.

This is, on any view, a very unhappy situation Mrs Justice Hallett

At an earlier hearing, John Grace QC, for the health authorities, said Ms Loveday's relationship with her clients - many of whom had already received damages for allegations of clinical negligence - was more like that of a therapist and that she had "trawled for complaints".

"Vulnerable" patients

On Monday Mrs Justice Hallett said considerable costs were still being incurred attempting to resolve the matter and she had no alternative but to end it.

"This is, on any view, a very unhappy situation.

"There are a number of claimants, some of them vulnerable and distressed.

"On the face of material before me, there is evidence to suggest that they may well have been poorly served by Jane Loveday, their solicitor.

"I urge the defendants to exercise considerable discretion in the enforcement of these orders.

"There will be no benefit, as I'm sure they appreciate, in bankrupting any of the claimants."