A new initiative which will help bereaved families of Service personnel by providing independent legal advice has been welcomed by Hilary Meredith Solicitors.
The free Independent Legal Advice Service to bereaved Service families will be available from the Royal British Legion next year.
The Legion's legal advisers will be available to give information and guidance, in particular about the inquest process, to ensure that families are fully prepared.
Partially funded by the MOD, it will initially be available for a two-year trial period and will be carefully evaluated during this time to check that it is successfully meeting the needs of families.
Commenting on the initiative, Hilary Meredith said:
"As Secretary of the Royal British Legion Solicitors Group I am delighted with this development.
"By its very nature an Inquest can be an emotional and daunting experience for families who have lost a loved one especially for military families where the incident was often overseas and access to information is limited.”
Hilary Meredith Solicitors continues to represent military families at Inquests but Legal Aid in respect of the actual hearing remains limited and much of the work is carried out on a Pro Bono basis.
Added Hilary:
"I hope that in the future the Legal Services Commission will consider legal funding for all families of bereaved at Inquests, at a time when independent legal representation is crucial."
