Military Legal Services · Chester, Cheshire & England & Wales
Military Legal Services Solicitors
Specialist Legal Advice for Serving Personnel, Veterans & Military Families
Military injury claims, AFCS, War Pensions, PTSD, hearing loss, military Wills, military divorce and undersettled claims — from our Chester office, serving England and Wales.
No obligation — speak to us first.
Service in the UK Armed Forces can result in injuries and health conditions that are not always immediately apparent — and that may not be diagnosed until years after leaving the Forces. At PDA Law, our military legal services team provides specialist advice to serving personnel, reservists and veterans across England and Wales.
Our military legal services go beyond injury claims. We also advise on military Wills and probate, military divorce and financial settlements (including military pension sharing), and undersettled claims and professional negligence. We understand the unique pressures and concerns that come with military life — including the worry that making a claim might affect your career or standing.
Our advice is always confidential. You are under no obligation to proceed after speaking with us.
Who Can Make a Military Claim?
Our military legal services are available to:
You do not need to be currently serving to make a military claim. Many military injuries — including hearing loss, tinnitus and cold injuries — are diagnosed or worsen after discharge. Time limits apply, so early advice is important.
Military Injury Claims
Select a service area to find out more about your options.
Hearing Loss & Tinnitus
Noise-induced hearing damage and tinnitus from weapons, vehicles and aircraft.
Military Deafness (NIHL)
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) — the most common military injury claim.
Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI)
Cold and heat injuries sustained during training or operations.
PTSD & Psychiatric Injury
Post-traumatic stress and other psychological injuries from service.
Training & Exercise Injuries
Injuries sustained during military training, exercises and physical activity.
Veterans' Claims After Discharge
Claims for veterans whose symptoms emerged or worsened after leaving the Forces.
Claim Options Explained
There are three main routes for military compensation. We will advise which is most appropriate for your circumstances.
Civil Claim Against the MOD
Where the Ministry of Defence failed in its duty of care — for example, inadequate hearing protection, unsafe training practices or failure to diagnose and treat an injury. Requires proof of negligence but can result in higher compensation.
Suitable for: serving personnel and veterans
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
A no-fault scheme for injuries and illnesses caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. You do not need to prove negligence. Administered by Veterans UK with tariff-based awards.
Suitable for: serving personnel and veterans (injuries from 6 April 2005)
About the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme →War Pensions Scheme
For injuries and illnesses caused by service before 6 April 2005. Provides a War Disablement Pension based on the assessed level of disablement. No strict time limit for claims.
Suitable for: veterans with pre-2005 service injuries
About the War Pensions Scheme →Compensation Schemes & Specialist Topics
Detailed guides to the schemes and specialist topics that affect military claims.
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
No-fault compensation for injuries caused by service on or after 6 April 2005.
War Pensions Scheme
Compensation for injuries and illnesses caused by service before 6 April 2005.
The Matrix Agreement
How the MOD Matrix Agreement affects military hearing loss and tinnitus claims.
Undersettled Claims & Professional Negligence
Think your military compensation was too low? We can review your case.
Military Legal Services — Beyond Injury Claims
We also advise on the wider legal needs of serving personnel, veterans and military families.
Military Wills & Probate
Operational Wills, emergency Wills and probate for military estates.
Military Divorce
Divorce and financial settlements for serving personnel and veterans, including military pension sharing.
One firm for all your military legal needs. Whether you need a military injury claim, a military Will, advice on military divorce or a review of an undersettled claim, PDA Law provides specialist legal services for the Armed Forces community from our Chester office.
Quick Eligibility Check
Answer three quick questions to see whether you may have a military claim.
1. Have you ever served in the UK Armed Forces?
What Our Clients Say
“Jonathan and the team were outstanding. They understood the pressures of service life and handled everything with complete discretion. I received a settlement I never expected.”
Former Corporal, British Army
Hearing Loss & Tinnitus
“I left the Forces 12 years ago and didn't think I could still claim. PDA Law showed me I could and secured a significant award for my PTSD. I can't thank them enough.”
Veteran, Royal Marines
PTSD Claim
“Completely confidential, no pressure, and they explained everything clearly. The AFCS process was handled for me from start to finish.”
Serving Sergeant, British Army
NFCI Claim
Why Choose PDA Law for Military Legal Services
- Specialist military legal services — injury claims, Wills, divorce and undersettled claims
- Confidential — your career and standing are protected throughout
- No obligation — speak to our military solicitors before deciding whether to proceed
- Chester-based — serving England and Wales, including Cheshire, Ellesmere Port, Wrexham and North Wales
- Post-discharge claims — we regularly advise veterans whose symptoms emerged after leaving the Forces
- MOD claims, AFCS and War Pensions — we advise on all routes and which is best for your circumstances
- Military Wills — operational and emergency Wills prepared quickly for personnel about to be deployed
- Military divorce — specialist advice on military pension sharing, SFA and overseas postings
Military Legal Services — Common Questions
What types of military injury claims can I make?
Military injury claims cover a wide range of conditions including hearing loss and tinnitus (NIHL), PTSD and psychiatric injury, non-freezing cold injury (NFCI), training and exercise injuries, and military medical negligence. Both civil claims against the MOD and AFCS claims are available routes.
Do I need a military solicitor to make a claim?
While you are not legally required to use a solicitor, specialist military claims solicitors understand the unique complexities of MOD claims, AFCS procedures and the particular pressures of service life. Expert legal advice significantly improves your prospects of a successful outcome.
Can I make a military personal injury claim after leaving the Forces?
Yes. Veterans regularly bring successful military personal injury claims for conditions that developed or worsened after discharge. You do not need to be currently serving. Time limits apply, so early advice is important.
What is the difference between the AFCS and a civil claim against the MOD?
The AFCS is a no-fault scheme — you do not need to prove negligence. It provides tariff-based awards for injuries caused by service on or after 6 April 2005. A civil claim against the MOD requires proof of negligence but can result in higher compensation. In some cases, both routes may be available.
How long does a military injury claim take?
Timescales vary depending on the type of claim and whether it is pursued via the AFCS or as a civil claim against the MOD. We will give you a realistic assessment of timescales at the outset.
Will making a military claim affect my career?
We understand this is a significant concern for serving personnel. We can advise you confidentially on this before you decide whether to proceed. Many military injury claims are brought without any adverse impact on service.
Can PDA Law help with military Wills and military divorce?
Yes. In addition to military injury claims, we advise on military Wills and probate, military divorce and financial settlements (including military pension sharing), and undersettled claims and professional negligence. Our military legal services cover the full range of legal issues affecting serving personnel and veterans.
Your Specialist Solicitor
Your Specialist Solicitor
Jonathan Cloudsdale
Head of Military Legal Services & Personal Injury
Jonathan has over 10 years' specialist experience in complex military claims, personal injury, industrial disease and catastrophic injuries. He has achieved multiple six-figure settlements in high-value cases and provides clear, realistic advice from the outset.
Related Guides
Plain English guides to help you understand your situation before speaking to a solicitor.
Get Started
Speak to a Military Claims Solicitor
No obligation · You don't have to decide today · Talk through your options first
Prefer to speak with us? Call 01244 757352
Our Team
Speak to a Member of Our Team
Jonathan Cloudsdale
Head of Military Legal Services & Personal Injury
Jonathan has over 10 years' specialist experience in complex military claims, personal injury, industrial disease and catastrophic injuries. He has achieved multiple six-figure settlements in high-value cases and provides clear, realistic advice from the outset. You don't have to decide today — talk through your options first.