‘Government lawyers have rejected a claim brought by eight Commonwealth army veterans, dismissing their allegations that, on discharge, officials failed to assist them with complex, unaffordable immigration rules, leaving them classified as illegal immigrants.’
The Guardian, 20th May 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The Centre for Military Justice, acting on behalf of three female service personnel has sent a pre – action protocol letter to the Ministry of Defence with regard to three cases which the service justice system (SJS) has conducted and their assertion appears to be that these victims were discriminated against. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) response is due this week. We have not seen the letter nor do we expect to see the response. The Centre for Military Justice stating publicly that by the end of the month they will issue proceedings in the High Court for Judicial Review (JR) citing action for discrimination under both the Human Rights Act and Equality Act. We await sight of the claim and then the defence.’
Thomas More Chambers, 14th May 2020
Source: www.thomasmore.co.uk
‘Three women serving in the armed forces have begun legal action aimed at preventing the military courts from trying UK rape cases, complaining that the conviction rate is five to six times lower than in civilian courts.’
The Guardian, 3rd April 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘On 18 March 2020, the UK Minister for Defence introduced into the UK Parliament his promised package of new legislation designed to ‘protect veterans’. Entitled the Overseas Operations (Service Personnel and Veterans) Bill, the proposed laws would amend the UK’s Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) in ways that impact on its human rights obligations, including under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).’
Oxford Human Rights Hub, 6th April 2020
Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk
‘A five-year time limit on bringing prosecutions against soldiers and veterans who have served abroad – except in “exceptional circumstances” – is to be imposed under legislation introduced by the government.’
The Guardian, 18th March 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘A Windrush man who was told the UK government had no record of him despite having spent nearly a decade serving in the British army says he is struggling to obtain compensation two years on.’
The Independent, 23rd january 2020
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Just over 17% of racially aggravated crimes investigated by military police over the past five years resulted in guilty verdicts at court martial, it has emerged, as the armed forces faces new pressure over claims it is failing black and Asian service personnel.’
The Guardian, 7th January 2020
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘From landmark legal cases to a landslide general election result, and civil disobedience to constitutional upheaval – the UK had no shortage of human rights news stories in 2019.’
Each Other, 6th January 2020
Source: eachother.org.uk
‘”Racism is prevalent” within the armed forces, the independent ombudsman overseeing complaints has warned.’
BBC News, 19th December 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A British Falklands war veteran has been given his medals back and received an apology from the Ministry of Defence after being forced out of the navy over his sexuality.’
The Guardian, 10th December 2019
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘On Nov 11, 2019, the Conservative Party announced rather unclear plans to take legal steps to ensure that inquest juries in Northern Ireland could not return verdicts of unlawful killing in relation to actions by UK soldiers (and presumably other state agents such as the RUC police) in operations during The Troubles. The plans also apparently include barring prosecutions for any alleged unlawful acts during such operations during The Troubles (there is no statute of limitations on serious criminal offences in the UK so this would be an entirely novel step).’
Red Lion Chambers, 14th November 2019
Source: www.redlionchambers.co.uk
‘A soldier has won a racism claim against the Ministry of Defence after being confused with the only other black sergeant in the unit.’
Daily Telegraph, 3rd December 2019
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
‘The International Criminal Court could open its first investigation into the British military following a BBC programme about alleged war crimes.’
BBC News, 18th November 2019
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A man who set off fireworks during a Remembrance Sunday event has been jailed.’
The Independent, 12th November 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Conservative plans to water down the Human Rights Act – to prevent prosecutions of soldiers accused of murders in Northern Ireland – will make the UK a pariah, the party has been warned.’
The Independent, 11th November 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘A coroner has pledged to write to the defence secretary after an inquest into the death of a soldier on a training exercise raised “grave concerns” over the army’s “ability to learn from previous mistakes”.’
The Independent, 26th October 2019
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Has the court in Miller (No 2) done the very thing it said it wouldn’t do in Miller (No 1)? Has it given legal enforceability to the constitutional convention of ministerial accountability? Several authors appear to suggest that is has (here, here and here). Indeed, conventions were given rather peculiar judicial treatment in Miller (No 1) not least when placed against Miller (No 2), but also due to the general unenforceability of ‘statutory conventions’ (more here). But back to the apparent elevation of the convention of ministerial accountability (CoMA) to a constitutional principle – or what I refer to as the principle-isation of the convention.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 24th October 2019
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
‘Legal experts have warned that the government’s plans to restrict claims against the Ministry of Defence are also framed to stop service personnel seeking justice for mistreatment.’
Law Society's Gazette, 14th October 2019
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
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