Barrister Profile

Main Areas of Practice

Administrative Law or Judicial Review
Family Law
Human Rights
Mediation or Alternative Dispute Resolution

Biography

I have been in practice since 1998. I have been a King’s Counsel since 2014. I specialise in family law and also undertake judicial review cases. I regularly appear for all parties including Health & Social Care Trusts, parents and Children Court Guardians. My practice is primarily High Court based. I was a member of the Family Bar Committee for many years and was Chair from 2020 to 2022. I am a Special Advocate. Also, I have been a trained mediator since 2011 and since that time I have undertaken mediations, both within family law and in other areas.

Qualifications

1997- LL.B (Hons) University of Manchester.

1998 - CPLS from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies.

Experience

Throughout my career at the Family Bar I have been involved in a number of complex cases. These matters have involved the running of lengthy trials and have necessitated the consideration of complicated legal issues. My involvement in such cases has led me to develop a specialism in Family Law advocacy and in particular the examination and cross examination of expert witnesses (pyschiatrists, psychologists, independent social workers, accountants etc), Trust professionals, Social Workers, parents, Guardian Ad Litems and others. My practice includes the Family Care Centre, High Court and Court of Appeal. I have been involved in numerous contested cases which have resulted in written judgments.

A selection of my Court of Appeal cases are:

CM v A Health and Social Services Trust [2011] NICA 41; [2012] NIJB 202

Western Health and Social Services Trust v L & another [2013] NICA 46

A v A Health and Social Services Trust & another; in re M & another [2011] NICA 32

H v C [2005] NICA 55; [2006] NIJB 295

A selection of my High Court cases are:

Western Health and Social Services Trust v L & another [2012] NIFam 6

S & others; in re (nonHague Convention abduction; habitual residence; child’s view) [2005] NI Fam 1; [2005] NI 399