Hilary Meredith is an English solicitor, professor and lobbyist known for her work and advocacy for UK armed forces service personnel and their families.[1][2] In 1987, Meredith came to notice for bringing the first ever case against the Ministry of Defence, where she represented the widow of a soldier who had been killed on manoeuvres in Canada.[3]

She started Hilary Meredith Solicitors[where?], a legal firm in 2003, specializing in campaigning for the armed forces.[4] Meredith has been known for a series of cases concerning the MoD’s duty of care. She has been involved in Parliamentary Defence Select Sub-Committee Inquiries providing evidence regarding military training exercises.[5][6]

From 2016, she was appointed senior lecturer of Law and Veterans Affairs at Chester University, serving on the board of the University’s Steering Committee for the Westminster Centre for Veterans Wellbeing and Care.[7] In 2017, she also became a Visiting Professor at the University of Chester.[8][9]

Notable cases edit

Meredith's work has included:

  • Green v MoD - against the Ministry of Defence following the Repeal of S10 Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1947.[10][11]
  • Sharp v Ministry of Defence - [2007] EWCA Civ 1223.
  • Markey v MoD - military boxing match resulting in brain injury.
  • Maloney Dickinson v MoD – husband drowned whilst abseiling.
  • Susan Johnson v MoD - husband killed when flare exploded in his mouth.
  • Shaun Fowler v MoD – severe head injury sustained whilst taking part in riot training in Spandau.
  • Judicial Review of the Legal Aid Board Multi Party Committee 1997.
  • John Oral v MoD – Gulf War 1, hit by landmine.[citation needed]

References edit

  1. ^ Feddy, Kevin (2004-08-11). "Hilary goes it alone". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  2. ^ "Hilary Meredith Solicitors - The Lawyer | Legal News and Jobs | Advancing the business of law". The Lawyer. 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  3. ^ "Hilary Meredith receives Freedom of the City of London - Hilary Meredith Solicitors". Hilary Meredith Solicitors. 2017-06-12. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  4. ^ "New name is on the house for Hilary Meredith". Manchester Evening News. 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  5. ^ "Beyond endurance? Military exercises and the duty of care - News from Parliament". UK Parliament. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  6. ^ "What happened on the Brecon Beacons?". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  7. ^ "Hilary Meredith appointed to uni veterans' centre | TheBusinessDesk.com". North West. 2017-07-20. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  8. ^ Begum, Shelina (2016-05-23). "Hilary Meredith appointed as visiting lecturer". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  9. ^ "Forces representative attacks MoD despite Iraq apology". Law Gazette. 2017-08-18. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  10. ^ Farmer, Ben (2016-04-24). "Prosecute MoD over training deaths, say MPs". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
  11. ^ Townsend, Mark (2016-04-23). "Ministry of Defence should lose crown immunity, say MPs". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-02-02.