header-logo header-logo

Compensation battles

08 April 2016 / Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC
Issue: 7693 / Categories: Opinion
printer mail-detail
istock_000003527863_web

Non-combatant victims of injuries by British soldiers must be able to seek compensation, says Geoffrey Bindman QC

The prime minister has pledged to work to end what he calls “hounding” of service personnel by claimant lawyers. Michael Gove has echoed this promise by telling us he will include suitable provisions in his projected “Bill of Rights”. Claimant lawyers are already subject to the disciplinary codes of the profession and the arraignment of two firms before the Solicitors’ Disciplinary TribunaI for alleged breaches of that code in relation to alleged ill-treatment of Iraqi citizens has prompted the prime minister’s intervention.

Importance of compensation

We must take seriously any threat to restrict the legal liability of those who cause harm to others to compensate their victims for the consequences of their acts or omissions. Redress for the injured victims of wrongdoing, whether deliberate or negligent is an honourable and important function of our legal system. Compensation provides a measure of justice for the injured. But it has been achieved only through long years of struggle. It must

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll