Barrister Profile

Main Areas of Practice

Employment Law
Human Rights
Personal Injury

Biography

Called to the bar in 1981 I initially practised civil and criminal law but moved increasing towards civil law, specialising in the areas of employment and discrimination law. For the past 30 years I have worked extensively, providing advice and advocacy, in this field encompassing, fair employment, discrimination on grounds of religious belief, political opinion, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation; pay, including equal pay; dismissal, statutory and contractual employment rights, working time, redundancy and TUPE. I have also represented parties in personal injury claims and discrimination claims relating to further and higher education and the provision of goods, facilities, services and premises. I act regularly on the instructions of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. I have appeared before various tribunals and courts at all levels, including the NICA, UKSC (House of Lords) and CJEU (ECJ).

Qualifications

Qualifications

1979; LL.B

1980; Certificate of Professional Legal Studies

1985; LL.M

Membership

1981; Bar of Northern Ireland

1995; Bar of Ireland

Employment Lawyers Group (NI)