New figures obtained by shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, reported in The Mirror, show that for every claim of mistreatment by British soldiers in warzones there are 25 against the MoD for injury or negligence by the soldiers themselves. Ministers say the new Overseas Operations Bill will protect troops from vexatious claims and endless investigations….
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the Ministry of Defence has ordered a judge-led Inquiry into investigations of our troops, which could block repeated inquiries into allegations. The Defence Secretary said the review into how allegations of wrongdoing are raised and investigated will help tackle the uncertainty faced by military personnel on future overseas operations….
There are a range of glaring omissions in the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill while time limits in Section 2 of the Bill should be scapped entirely and veterans under criminal investigation should have access to an independent advocate – according to evidence provided to today’s Scrutiny Committee by lawyer Hilary Meredith. Addressing…
Hilary Meredith, Chair of Hilary Meredith Solicitors, has accepted a new three-year term as Visiting Professor of Law and Veterans’ Affairs at the University of Chester.The University of Chester, founded in 1893, is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the country. In her role as Visiting Professor, Hilary will continue to support the…
A British ex-soldier has been cleared over the death of an Iraqi teenager, after 17 years of investigations.Saeed Shabram’s family say he drowned after being forced into a river by UK soldiers in Basra in 2003. But a report published on Thursday By The Right Hon. Baroness Hallett D.B.E. said there was no reliable evidence that…
The Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Commons. Hilary Meredith, Chair of Hilary Meredith Solicitors and Visiting Professor of Law and Veterans’ Affairs at the University of Chester says the Bill has a way to go before it reaches its final stages. “There is a…
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…
Veterans for Britain has appointed Hilary Meredith to its Board.Hilary, founder and Chair of Hilary Meredith Solicitors and Visiting Professor of Law and Veterans’ Affairs at the University of Chester, is a solicitor, lobbyist and campaigner with decades of experience representing UK service personnel, their families and military veterans.Hilary’s career in protecting the welfare of…
Hilary Meredith has backed calls for reforms to the Inquest system – specifically in relation to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).Justice’s latest report, When Things Go Wrong: the response of the justice system this week called for urgent reform to major inquests and inquiries, saying the current system often leaves bereaved families and survivors feeling…
The Sunday People has revealed that thousands of British soldiers could be suffering from untreated brain injuries after being blown up while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. US defence chiefs believe that up to 20 per cent of all troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan could have a traumatic brain injury (TBI). America’s Defence…
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…
www.ihatjustice.co.uk British soldiers falsely accused of brutality and abuses against Iraqi civilians between 2003 and 2009 are preparing a landmark legal action against the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Iraq Historic Allegations Team, which hounded thousands of innocent troops, was shut down on 30 June 2017. Countless lives were ruined by the £60m probe –…
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…
Hilary Meredith Solicitors has continued its expansion by promoting Adrian Mullen and Lucia Parkinson to partners. The promotions come after a strong year for Hilary Meredith Solicitors, with the specialist military law firm securing a number of life-changing personal injury and clinical negligence settlements for service personnel, veterans and their families. With a scientific and…
British soldiers who have been accused of committing war crimes in Iraq are unlikely to face criminal prosecution.Independent investigators were asked to look at thousands of allegations made against the British military after the invasion of Iraq in 2003.But the director of the Service Prosecution Authority (SPA) said just one remaining case was being examined.Andrew…
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…