Terror-plotting Essex teenager jailed for life after mother reports him – The Guardian

‘A teenager who staked out British soldiers and police officers in preparation for a terror attack has been jailed for life after his mother took what a judge has described as the “bold step” to report him.’

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The Guardian, 2nd June 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

War widows who lost pensions to receive compensation – BBC News

‘War widows who were forced to forfeit their pensions will receive a lump sum payment after a long-running campaign. The compensation scheme will benefit spouses who lost their government income if they remarried or moved in with a new partner before 2015.’

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BBC News, 18th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Whistleblower reports reveal continuing sexual abuse of women in UK military – The Guardian

‘A junior servicewoman said she was a victim of rape and forced to leave the armed forces while her abuser was protected, according to whistleblower testimony collected and published by a parliamentary committee on Thursday.’

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The Guardian, 18th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

MOD will not change ceremonial dagger gifting rule after murders – BBC News

‘The Ministry of Defence will not change its rules allowing those leaving the military to be gifted knives. It comes after veteran Collin Reeves murdered his neighbours Stephen and Jennifer Chapple using a dagger.’

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BBC News, 11th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Armed forces complaint ‘used as weapon against me’ – BBC News

‘Four years on from submitting a complaint alleging she had been raped while in the armed forces, “Jane” is still awaiting a decision and says it was used as a “weapon” against her.
She told the BBC that colleagues knew things about the confidential process “they should never have known”. Her concerns are not unique, according to a report by the ombudsman for armed forces complaints.’

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BBC News, 4th May 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Misogyny rife in RAF boys’ club, sex assault victim says – BBC News

‘The RAF is a “boys’ club” where sexual harassment, misogyny and homophobia are rife, says a female ex-corporal who was sexually assaulted while serving.’

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BBC News, 14th April 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Barry v Ministry of Defence [2023] EWHC 49 (KB) – 3PB

‘On 3 March 2023, Johnson J handed down judgment in relation to former marine Mr Barry’s claim that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) caused his noise-induced hearing loss. It is the first time judicial guidance has been expressly given on the reduction factors (other than mortality) since the revised guidance in the 8th edition of the Ogden tables were published in July 2020.’

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3PB, March 2023

Source: www.3pb.co.uk

The High Court Considers the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Quantification of Military Noise-Induced Hearing Loss – Ropewalk Chambers

Posted April 11th, 2023 in armed forces, causation, news, noise, personal injuries by sally

‘This blog reviews the High Court decision in Barry v Ministry of Defence [2023] EWHC 459 (KB) and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the application of the Moore et al. Guidelines for Diagnosis and Quantification of Military Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.’

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Ropewalk Chambers, 14th March 2023

Source: ropewalk.co.uk

Coldstream Guard who sold bullets to undercover officer is jailed for three years – The Independent

‘A soldier from the elite unit responsible for protecting the royal family has been jailed for three years after selling bullets to an undercover officer in a police sting.’

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The Independent, 6th April 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

High-Value NIHL Claims: Application of the Ogden Tables – Ropewalk Chambers

‘A former Royal Marine was medically discharged at the age of 29 years with noise-induced hearing loss (“NIHL”) and tinnitus sustained after training exercises. Primary liability was admitted.’

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Ropewalk Chambers, 28th March 2023

Source: ropewalk.co.uk

Inquiry into claims of unlawful killings in Afghanistan by UK armed forces officially begins – The Independent

Posted March 22nd, 2023 in Afghanistan, armed forces, inquiries, news, unlawful killing, war by tracey

‘The inquiry into allegations of unlawful killings by the UK armed forces in Afghanistan is set to be officially launched. The probe’s chair, Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, is expected to announce a call for evidence of illegal activity in the war-torn nation between 2010 and 2013 when the inquiry gets underway on Wednesday.’

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The Independent, 22nd March 2023

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Stop giving daggers to retiring soldiers, says coroner after Somerset murders – The Guardian

Posted March 9th, 2023 in armed forces, coroners, murder, news, offensive weapons, retirement by sally

‘A senior coroner has called on the British military to stop handing out ceremonial daggers to retiring service personnel after hearing how a couple were stabbed to death by a former soldier using one.’

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The Guardian, 8th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Victims of crimes committed by armed forces personnel to have say in justice – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in armed forces, consultations, news, prosecutions, victims by tracey

‘For the first time, there will be a requirement to consider the views of those reporting a crime allegedly committed by a member of the armed forces when deciding whether a case should be dealt with by the civilian or military justice system.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 23rd February 2023

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Former Royal Marine seeks £1.5m in damages over hearing loss – BBC News

‘A former Royal Marine is seeking more than £1m in damages from the government over “noise-induced hearing loss”.’

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BBC News, 19th January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man given suspended 10-week sentence over racist assault on teacher in Stockport – The Guardian

‘A former soldier who pleaded guilty to a racist assault after chasing a teacher down the street with two umbrellas and using a racial slur has received a 10-week suspended sentence and been ordered to pay his victim £300.’

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The Guardian, 8th December 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Legal Duty to Require Local Bodies to Consider How Decision-Making Impacts Members of Armed Forces Community – Local Government Lawyer

Posted November 30th, 2022 in armed forces, government departments, local government, news, statutory duty by sally

‘Councils, NHS trusts and other local bodies will be required to consider how their decision-making impacts upon members of the Armed Forces community, under a new duty introduced last week (22 November).’

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Local Government Lawyer, 28th November 2022

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Royal Navy chief defends service’s handling of sex abuse allegations – The Independent

‘The head of the Royal Navy has defended the way in which the service handles allegations of rape and sexual abuse, arguing that independent investigations would take longer and “lead to less good outcomes”.’

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The Independent, 26th November 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Jane Rooney: The Extraterritorial Application of the Human Rights Act: Overseas Military Operations and Beyond – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted November 22nd, 2022 in armed forces, bills, constitutional law, human rights, news by sally

‘With the reinstatement of Dominic Raab as Secretary of State for Justice, the Bill of Rights Bill, currently before Parliament, is once again a possibility only weeks after Liz Truss halted its progression on account that it was a ‘complete mess’. This post examines the Bill’s provisions on overseas military operations, how they compare with the UK judiciary’s approach, the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Act 2021, and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) jurisprudence. Also highlighted are other extraterritoriality issues outside overseas military operations that the UK will have to consider.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 22nd November 2022

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

British Army soldier convicted of sexually assaulting colleague on night out – The Independent

Posted November 17th, 2022 in armed forces, courts martial, harassment, news, sexual offences by tracey

‘A British Army soldier has been convicted of sexually assaulting a colleague after he groped her breast and slid his hand up her skirt during a night out.’

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The Independent, 16th November 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Army families suing MoD for poor housing told to drop claims or have pay docked – The Guardian

‘Army families suing the Ministry of Defence over the squalor of their living quarters are being issued with “bullying” ultimatums to drop the claims or face having their pay docked to cover the legal costs.’

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The Guardian, 13th November 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com