Following our AGM on 21st April 2023, Forces Law are proud to introduce the new Committee.
Honorary President and Training Officer: Ahmed Al-Nahhas
Ahmed is a Partner and Solicitor Advocate. He joined Bolt Burdon Kemp in 2011 and heads their Military Claims team.
Ahmed manages high value personal injury and clinical negligence claims, often involving serious accidents suffered by service personnel during training or through failures to treat and rehabilitate. He ensures that all his clients are seen at an early stage by the right medical experts, so that their injuries can be fully investigated, an assessment made of their future needs and a strategy agreed for the successful progression of their claims.
As an experienced Solicitor-Advocate, Ahmed often appears in the High Court to represent his clients. He has led our work defending the rights of service personnel in the workplace against poor conditions, bullying, discrimination and harassment. He has an in depth understanding of service complaint procedures and will advise clients all the way through to appeal stages and beyond. He is passionate about protecting the rights of women and minorities in the armed forces.
Chairman: Rebecca Moloney
Rebecca is a Senior Associate and Solicitor specialising in Family Law and has extensive experience in acting for clients in divorce and financial proceedings.
She qualified as a solicitor in 2010 and has been at Wolferstans Solicitors since 2014 after working for a large local law firm.
Rebecca undertakes most areas of family law for both married and cohabiting couples with an emphasis upon the financial aspects associated with the relationship breakdown. Rebecca advises on matters concerning divorce as well as preparing separation agreements, pre and postnuptial agreements. Rebecca regularly advises on matters involving businesses, pensions and property portfolios.
Rebecca is a specialist member of Resolution which means that she is required to comply with a Code of Practice which promotes the resolution of issues arising from separation in a constructive way.
She is a specially trained collaborative lawyer. The collaborative law process encourages people separating to deal with matters away from the court process. This process has the aim of resolving matters in a more amicable way which can be much more positive for the parties and any children involved.
Vice Chairman: Ruth Craven
Ruth graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2010 with a degree in Law and Criminology (LLB). After completing her Legal Practice Course in 2012 Ruth joined Wilkin Chapman as a paralegal and trained as a Police Station representative in the Crime Department.
Ruth qualified as a solicitor in 2015 having completed her training contract at a regional firm. Thereafter Ruth practiced at a national firm on the South coast until 2021 where she gained extensive experience in dealing with high value personal injury claims.
Ruth returned to Wilkin Chapman as a Senior Solicitor in 2021, working in the personal injury department. Ruth primarily represents service personnel bringing claims against the Ministry of Defence involving all types of claims, including injuries sustained on exercise and injuries sustained in theatre. Ruth also advises on the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
In addition to military claims Ruth has particular experience in asbestos relates disease claims, representing clients (and their families) who have been negligently exposed to asbestos during the course of their employment and have subsequently developed diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, pleural thickening and asbestosis. In addition to bringing legal claims on their behalf, Ruth also advises on their state benefit entitlement, and is experienced in bringing claims through the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme.
Ruth recognises the difficulties that patients often face following their diagnosis/injury. Her knowledge in this field allows her to sign-post clients and their families to relevant non-legal services where necessary.
Ruth is an accredited Litigator with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Treasurer: Jane Hodge
Jane joined Glanvilles Anderson Rowntree in 2018 as Head of the Family Department and is a Partner based at their Petworth office.
Jane has nearly 30 years’ experience in a variety of areas of law and specialises in all aspects of family law, including divorce, separation, cohabitation issues, pre and post nuptial agreements, issues regarding children, domestic abuse and protective orders. She has particular expertise in high net worth and complex divorce cases, including those involving family farms, equestrian property, large pensions business and immigration issues. She is a resolution member with specialist accreditation in domestic abuse and complex financial remedies.
Jane can also advise on employment issues and settlement agreements and general litigation and is an accredited civil and workplace mediator who uses her mediation training to help provide a blend of an empathetic and supportive approach with academic expertise to her client’s cases.
As a former Chair of Forces Law, Jane can also offer specialist expertise in Armed Forces Pensions on divorce.
Additionally, following her passion for sport and particularly football, she can advise and assist with regulatory issues for clubs and associations in any sport. As an experienced advocate; she can represent players and clubs in disciplinary hearings.
Jane is also a member of the Hampshire FA Disciplinary Panel and appointed to the Football Association National Serious Cases disciplinary tribunal specialising in anti-discrimination, so understands the disciplinary process from both sides.
As a former Director of a National League South club, Jane has relevant personal experience of the variety of legal issues and challenges that non league football provides.
Honorary Secretary: Keir Hirst
Keir joined Wace Morgan in 1998 as a trainee solicitor and qualified as a solicitor in the year 2000. He was made a Partner in 2003.
He has specialised in employment since he qualified and has represented clients at Employment Tribunals all over the country. He has also successfully represented clients at the Employment Appeal Tribunal and Court of Appeal.
When he is not at work Keir enjoys spending time with his young family.
Marketing and Social Media: Natasha Mason
Natasha is the Armed Forces Engagement Champion at Wolferstans Solicitors; a Royal Navy Veteran who qualified as a solicitor in January 2020.
Natasha joined Wolferstans in June 2015 as the Armed Forces Coordinator and worked within the Family and Personal Injury departments before commencing her training contract, gaining experience in Residential Conveyancing and Court of Protection teams. Natasha graduated from Plymouth University in 2016 with a 2:1 Honours degree in Law and graduated from the University of Law in 2017 with a Masters in Professional Legal Practice.
Natasha is often the first point of contact for members of our armed forces community looking for legal advice. Working across the firm, Natasha assists fee earners on military related matters or military clients and engages with organisations in the community to support those who serve, those who have served, and their families.
Natasha is a former Chairman of the Forces Law network and in her spare time, Natasha is a volunteer for the Royal Navy Association and manages the Plymouth Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club.
The outgoing Chairman remains on the Committee for 2 years to afford continuity: Clare Dalby
Clare joined Wace Morgan in 2015, working within our Litigation department. She has over 20 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in 1998.
An accredited Senior Litigator with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), Clare has demonstrated considerable competency and specialist knowledge in the area of Personal Injury.
She has experience in dealing with Serious Injury claims arising out of Road Traffic Accidents, Accidents at work, Slips and Trips, Fatal Accidents and Clinical Negligence.
Clare also has strong experience in Military Law Matters, in particular claims against the MOD for personal injuries such as Non-Freezing Cold Injuries and Pelvic Stress claims.
She has also dealt with claims against the MOD for administrative failings resulting in Negligent Treatment as well as Bullying & Harassment claims. In financial matters she can assist with Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and War Pension claims.
Clare was promoted to the position of Partner in 2022 in recognition of her significant contribution to the development of her department and the firm as a whole.
Current Member Firms:
Biscoes – Isle of Wight, Hampshire
Bolt Burden Kemp – London
Bonallack & Bishop – Salisbury
Cohen Cramer – Leeds
Gepp – Colchester
Glanvilles Anderson Rowntree – Hampshire
McCartan Turkington Breen – Belfast
Wace Morgan – Shrewsbury
Wilkin Chapman – Lincoln
Wolferstans – South West
