Freedom of Information requests from the BBC reveal that the NHS in England faces paying out £4.3bn in legal fees to settle outstanding claims of clinical negligence. This figure includes all current unsettled claims and projected estimates of ones in the future. The Department of Health has pledged to tackle “the unsustainable rise in the…
Mr Justice Martin Spencer has today dismissed the appeal of former soldier Wayne Bass, who contracted Q-fever while serving in Afghanistan. Commenting on today’s judgment, Mr Bass’ solicitor, Dianne Yates, partner at military law firm Hilary Meredith Solicitors said: “This is a devastating blow for Mr Bass who remains in poor health as a result…
Former soldier Wayne Bass, who lost his legal claim against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after contracting Q fever in Afghanistan, will have his Appeal heard on 5 and 6 December 2019 at the Royal Courts of Justice. Mr Bass’ solicitor Dianne Yates, partner at specialist military law firm, Hilary Meredith Solicitors said: “Wayne remains…
An army widow has started a new campaign to ensure soldiers are recognised for their service by the Coroner’s Court and Armed Forces Memorial. Jo Jukes lost her military veteran husband, Dave Jukes, when he took his own life on 9th October 2018. Since his tragic death, she has campaigned tirelessly for greater mental health…
Simon Quinn, Partner and Head of Military at Hilary Meredith Solicitors, has become the first solicitor in the country to be appointed as an Accredited Military Injury Specialist by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). The status of Accredited Military Injury Specialist is granted to a person who has not only achieved APIL Senior…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors says Panorama’s War Crimes Scandal Exposed has made it impossible for soldiers and veterans to receive a fair trial in the event of any future prosecutions. Breaches against service personal and veterans include: – Article 6, Human Right Act, Right to a Fair Trial. – Article 8, Human Rights Act, Right to…
The UK government and armed forces have been accused of covering up the killing of civilians by British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to reports today. An investigation by BBC Panorama and the Sunday Times has spoken to 11 British detectives who said they found evidence of war crimes. The new evidence has come…
On what was every parents’ worst nightmare, on the morning of 9 May 2017, we sent Evha, who had only just turned 11, on what should have been a fun school trip with her friends to Drayton Manor Theme Park. She never came home. We entrusted Evha’s care and safety to the School and to…
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…
Hilary Meredith has today accused the MoD of being “grotesquely negligent” and “repeating the mistakes of the past” after Senior Birmingham coroner Louise Hunt concluded there had been “very serious” failings at all levels as she concluded a hearing into the death of Corporal Joshua Hoole. Cpl Hoole’s father Phillip Hoole, says he plans to…
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…
Hilary Meredith was delighted to be shortlisted for the Women Solicitor of the Year accolade at last night’s Law Society Excellence Awards. The Law Society Excellence Awards have been celebrating the hard work and inspiring achievements of solicitors, legal teams and firms of all sizes across England and Wales for the past 13 years. The…
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…
Former soldier Wayne Bass, who lost his legal claim against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after contracting Q fever in Afghanistan, has been granted permission to Appeal. Mr Bass’ solicitor, Dianne Yates from specialist military law firm Hilary Meredith Solicitors, confirmed that the Appeal is listed to be heard on 5 and 6 December 2019…
The Government has dropped plans to protect military veterans from prosecution in Monday’s Queen’s Speech, according to reports over the weekend. Reacting to the news, Hilary Meredith, Chair of Hilary Meredith Solicitors and Visiting Professor of Law and Veterans’ Affairs at the University of Chester said: “I am dismayed by the lack of…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors is backing a new campaign by Help for Heroes calling for the Government to commission an independent review of the medical discharge process. Help for Heroes is calling for an independent review of the discharge process which was described as “negative” by 70% of veterans it spoke to in a new survey. More…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors has achieved its highest ever rankings in leading legal directory, The Legal 500, published today. Hilary Meredith is ranked as a Band 1 Leading Individual for Claimant Personal Injury in the North West, while Sinead Cartwright, Dianne Yates and Simon Quinn are named as other key lawyers. The Legal 500 says: “Niche…
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…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors has become a founder member of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO). ACSO has been established as a not-for-profit membership body to represent the interests of consumers as claimants in the civil justice system. By engaging with policymakers, regulators, wider industry and the media, ACSO works to ensure there is a…
Hilary Meredith is a guest speaker at today’s Cheshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Symposium at the University of Chester. As Visiting Professor of Law and Veterans’ Affairs at the University of Chester’s Westminster Centre, Hilary will be speaking at 2pm on the legal support available to veterans. During her address, Hilary will refer to the…