Military law specialists await influx of compensation claims after Iraq conflict

Military law specialists await influx of compensation claims after Iraq conflict

Military law specialists said this week that they are expecting an influx of compensation claims when soldiers return from the conflict in Iraq.

Justin Hugheston-Roberts, a partner at Wolverhampton firm Rose Williams and chairman of Forces Law, a network of 22 solicitors' firms specialising in military law, said the organisation had received enquiries from soldiers in the Gulf and their families.

'Before the conflict broke out last month, we had phone calls from servicemen who wanted to get out of going to the Gulf, and we were able to give general advice on those issues,' he said.

Mr Hugheston-Roberts added: 'When [personnel] are initially deployed it all goes quiet, but when they are established out there we receive enquiries from families and relations about issues such as debt relief and property matters.'

He expects a number of servicemen to seek compensation when the conflict is over.

'The friendly fire incidents of the war so far could well prove to be a big issue, particularly for the families of those killed.'

Christopher Harrison, an assistant at Darlington firm Scotts Wright and the chairman-elect of Forces Law, agreed that when servicemen return, a number of them will probably begin to look at the possibility of compensation.

He stressed that no instructions had yet been received because the forces were 'heavily involved in other matters'.

Elsewhere, the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) said it was keeping a close eye on the current situation in Iraq with a view to rebuilding the country's justice system after the conflict ends.

ILAC was formed in 2001 by the International Bar Association and American Bar Association to find lawyers who can go into former war zones and make an initial assessment of the steps needed to reconstruct the administration of justice.

ILAC executive director Christian Ahlund said its role would depend on how large a part the United Nations was given in the post-war administration.

'ILAC was established precisely to work in post-conflict situations like this, and if the UN was given a prominent role in the new government then our desire to help would be increased,' he said.

Victoria MacCallum