The Ministry of Defence is looking into suicide rates among veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Cases where former servicemen and women have taken their own lives will be the focus of the research. It will look into the causes of death among those who left the Armed Forces. It’s been reported that more…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at the Eclipse Proclaim Personal Injury Awards 2018. The Awards, now in their eleventh year, provide a unique opportunity to highlight and celebrate the excellence of individuals and organisations across the personal injury claims sector. Hilary Meredith Solicitors has been shortlisted for Catastrophic Injury Team of…
I was terribly saddened to hear of the demise of yet another great law firm, Roberts Jackson. Not only was founder Karen Jackson a neighbour, her office was near to mine in Wilmslow. She is a good friend and an excellent lawyer. Karen prides herself on excellence and invested in the training of her staff…
The Government has today rejected the Defence Committee’s recommendation for an independent assessment of its Armed Forces Covenant commitments. In its response to the annual Armed Forces Covenant report published by the Commons Defence Select Committee earlier this year, the Government rejected criticism that the MoD and other departments are “marking their own homework” when…
New figures show that more injuries are caused during training than in any other activity for full-time members of the Armed Forces. The figures have been published in the same week as families and lawyers call on the Ministry of Defence to be stripped of its immunity from prosecution after two SAS servicemen were acquitted…
Two men acquitted of negligence after overseeing an SAS selection march in which three reservists died should never have been put on trial, according to military lawyer Hilary Meredith. L/Cpl Edward Maher, 31, L/Cpl Craig Roberts, 24, and Cpl James Dunsby, 31, died after the trek during which they carried up to 27kg (4st) on…
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join an award winning claimant based practice with both national and international clients. We are currently recruiting Trainee Solicitors/Paralegals. Experience in Personal Injury would be an advantage, but not necessary as full training will be provided. You should be able to demonstrate strong communication skills, excellent organisational skills, drafting…
We now have a vacancy for an experienced Clinical Negligence Solicitor (6 – 8 years PQE plus) to join the department. This is a great opportunity to join a practice with an excellent reputation within the industry. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in claimant clinical negligence and will be responsible for a growing,…
Two soldiers face a court martial, beginning today, for negligence in relation to the deaths of three reservists, who died after a 16-mile training march in the Brecon Beacons – but military lawyer Hilary Meredith says it is the MoD that should be in the dock. The men, named only as 1A and 1B, both…
Military staff who worked on Sea King helicopters, which have been in service since 1969, are being warned they may have been exposed to asbestos. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is urgently removing parts suspected of containing the harmful material from its aircraft and, according to The Mail on Sunday, thousands of engineers may be…
“For many soldiers, the Army’s cavalier treatment of them following an injury can have a far worse impact than the injury itself” says his solicitor A 29 year old soldier has secured an out of court settlement of £420,000 as a result of damage to his hearing which resulted in him having to give up…
A long-serving soldier who was convinced he was going to die after a terrifying mid-air ordeal has settled his claim against the Ministry of Defence for hundreds of thousands of pounds. Soldier B, who joined the army in 2002, was one of 187 passengers in a RAF Voyager aircraft flying from RAF Brize Norton to…
The Royal British Legion today launched a mass movement to say ‘Thank You’ to all who served, sacrificed, and changed our world during the First World War. With 100 days to go until 11 November, the charity is calling on mass involvement from the public to mark the centenary of the end of the First…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors has promoted military specialist Simon Quinn to Partner and Head of Military Claims (North). Simon joined Hilary Meredith Solicitors in 2009 and was made an Associate in 2014. During his time at the firm, he has developed a particular specialism in Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI) claims, recently securing one of the highest…
The public perception that most Servicemen and women are damaged by their service is wrong, according to a Report by the House of Commons Defence Committee on the extent of mental illness among Armed Forces personnel. The Report says that the vast majority of veterans leave with no mental damage, and suggestions to the contrary…
An Army captain has been jailed for 18 months after a soldier was killed during a live firing exercise. Capt Jonathan Price was also dismissed from the Army by the court martial for the gross negligence manslaughter of Ranger Michael Maguire. The 21-year-old was hit by a stray bullet at the Castlemartin Range, Pembrokeshire in…
Congratulations to Stuart Andrew MP on his appointment as Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence with responsibility for procurement, a position first held by Philip Dunne MP (2015-2016) and then, more recently, by Harriett Baldwin MP 2016-2018. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State is responsible for the Equipment Plan, defence industry and…
Cpl Darren Neilson was killed alongside Cpl Matthew Hatfield, when a tank exploded during a live firing exercise in the UK. Clare Stevens from Hilary Meredith Solicitors represented Cpl Darren Neilson’s wife, Jemma Neilson at the Inquest into his death. She said: “Yet again we’ve heard of systemic failings within the MOD and more evidence…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors has secured a settlement worth almost £7.2 million on behalf of a Navy pilot who suffered catastrophic injuries during the course of his duties. The pilot had landed his Merlin helicopter on the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious at night-time, and was completing his post-flight inspection, when the flight deck lift was opened…