There has been much debate and comment over the government’s Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill, including this article by well-respected legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg QC (hon). https://rozenberg.substack.com/p/a-clean-slate-after-five-years Much of the Overseas Operations Bill has been brought as a result of the panic caused by the IHAT investigation (described as a “poisoned well” by…
I was sad to read about the devastating financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Help for Heroes. The armed forces charity this week announced the difficult decision to undergo a major restructure in order to protect their life-changing recovery services. Help for Heroes rely on public donations for 97% of income but this has…
In the House of Commons yesterday, Labour MP John Healey tabled an urgent question asking the Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Johnny Mercer to update the House on the Overseas Operations Bill’s impact on the rights of British troops serving overseas to bring civil liability claims against the Ministry of Defence and its implications…
I pay tribute to the bravery of our Armed Forces every day of the year, but today, on Armed Forces Day 2020, I’d particularly like to salute all our service personnel, veterans and their families.Showing support for the Armed Forces provides a much-valued morale boost for our troops and their families. Unfortunately, due to the…
he Defence Secretary was last night accused of a cover-up after it emerged a £10million probe into Afghan veterans was secretly closed down a year ago. Operation Northmoor was ended by the provost marshal heading the Royal Military Police investigation last summer, according to a defence source. At its height, the special police unit was…
Mental Health Awareness Week and why our armed forces and veterans need support 52 weeks of the year
At Hilary Meredith Solicitors, we are delighted to support this week’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental Health Awareness Week is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health and mental health problems and inspire action to promote the message of good mental health for all. Mental health provision is particularly important in our…
After lobbying the Government on behalf of service personnel and veterans for the last six weeks, Hilary Meredith Solicitors has welcomed news that Veterans UK, the support organisation responsible for administering the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), is to look into urgent cases. Hilary Meredith Solicitors has been in communication with Veterans UK over a…
Our Armed Forces are continuing to help battle the COVID-19 pandemic. From getting the NHS Nightingale Hospital at London’s ExCel from conception to reality in just 9 days, to supporting civilian authorities across the country. Here are just a few examples of how troops are working to keep us all safe: – Over 2700 personnel…
In last week’s Times Law, Lord Burnett of Maldon, the most senior judge in England and Wales, explained how a “remarkable” aspect of “these sombre times” is that “in just a few weeks great strides have been made in the use of technology, which traditionally would have taken much longer”. And he’s right. Throughout the…
To update my blog from yesterday, 99-year-old army veteran Tom Moore has now raised an incredible £5 million (as of 10am this morning) for the NHS! Tom originally hoped to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together, to thank “magnificent” staff after recent treatment for a broken hip and cancer by walking 100 laps of his…
Examples of the military playing their part in the the huge national fight back against Coronavirus are widespread, but a special mention must go to 99-year-old army veteran, Tom Moore who is set to raise over £500,000 by completing 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden by Thursday, walking with the aid of a frame. Tom…
A dying Army veteran facing trial over a fatal shooting in Northern Ireland 46 years ago has said that he will bring a Judicial Review on the grounds that British veterans are suffering ‘discriminatory treatment’ by the criminal justice system, in an attempt to halt the controversial case. Great-grandfather Dennis Hutchings, 78, is facing charges…
Press reports today suggest the Conservatives are pledging to end the “unfair trials” of soldiers accused of murders in Northern Ireland by banning inquests from returning verdicts of unlawful killings for deaths during the Troubles. The party is pledging to amend the Human Rights Act to exclude any death in Northern Ireland that took place…
A leading military psychiatrist has accused the government of failing in its duty of care to veterans. Neil Greenberg, Professor of Defence Mental Health at King’s College London, says former personnel are being left frightened and alone – despite the existence of the Armed Forces Covenant. Professor Greenberg says the promise to give priority health…
I am delighted to see the Office for Veterans Affairs officially launched this week. As part of the launch, ministers have announced that the new head of the OVA will be Col David Richmond, the former Recovery Director of Help for Heroes. Further details of what the office will do have also been announced, including…
It is encouraging to read that an increasing number of GPs are signing up to become ‘veteran friendly’ under a national scheme launched last year to improve medical care and treatment for former members of the armed services. The scheme, called the Military Veteran Aware Accreditation, has been adopted by NHS England and the Royal…
I am delighted and proud that the Westminster Centre for Research and Innovation in Veterans’ Wellbeing at the University of Chester, where I am Visiting Professor of Law and Veterans’ Affairs, has been shortlisted for the Military and Civilian Partnership Award at the Health Service Journal Awards 2019. The Westminster Centre for Research and Innovation in…
I am delighted Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is to establish Britain’s first dedicated veterans’ office with the aim of stopping the legal witch-hunt against our troops. Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, a former Army officer and frontline soldier, was yesterday appointed veterans minister working across the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Defence. The idea is that…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors is proud to have worked with MPs on a new campaign to end a host of ongoing injustices against military veterans. Under the three-part Veterans’ Pledge, which is being supported by The Sun Newspaper, we are urging Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt when they enter No10 to agree to: 1. Create a…