Emmersons offer to help Armed Forces Personnel

Share |

Are you aware that 30^th June 2012 is Armed Forces Day?  This is the day which has been targeted to raise awareness of the work undertaken by the men and women serving in our Armed Forces and the excellent job that they do. It is a great opportunity for members of the public to show their support for our troops. 

Emmersons Solicitors has always been a great supporter of our Armed Forces and since they opened for business 14 years ago have always strived to do all that they can to help service personnel and their families.  They often carry out work on a pro bono basis for service personnel who are unable to afford to pay their legal fees. “We often assist soldiers suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have dealt with some very young soldiers who have come into contact with the court system because they have lost control as a direct result of things they have witnessed in such places as Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan” says Michael Robinson, partner in the firm. 

When Emmersons opened their second office in Gosforth they took the opportunity to raise funds for SSAFA Forces Help . “Our launch evening for our Gosforth office was a great opportunity to bring together the SSAFA volunteers from the North East and local businesses. The volunteers give up a great deal of time to help existing and retired armed forces personnel. They are always looking for extra volunteers to help them” says Jacqueline Emmerson.

Emmersons connection with the Armed Forces continued with the appointment of Louise Flynn as a Family Law Solicitor. Louise was previously based at a firm at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.  Working in the Garrison, she gained a wealth of experience dealing with Armed Forces divorces and dissolutions.  Through her experience she learned that the divorce rate in the forces appears to be higher than in civilian life.  There are several factors that impact on an armed forces divorce in a unique way.  Forces pensions and terminal grants are taken into account when dealing with the divorce, especially if the client is close to receiving the payments.  Housing needs for the family and contact arrangements tend to be at the forefront. 

“On this Armed Forces Day we will be thinking of the impact that being in the armed forces has on family life. We at Emmersons are supporting our forces. If any forces personnel require legal assistance during the next two weeks they should contact us to see if we can offer them free help” says Senior Partner  Jacqueline Emmerson who is also Honorary Solicitor for SSAFA Forces Help in the North East of England .

 Emmersons Solicitors are based at 52 John Street, Sunderland SR1 1QN and 145 High Street Gosforth NE3 1HA. For further information contact Jacqueline Emmerson on 0191 2846989, Michael Robinson on 0191 5676667 or e mail amrobinson@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk