Barrister Profile

Main Areas of Practice

Administrative Law or Judicial Review
Land Law
Personal Injury
Public Inquiries

Biography

I have a broad civil practice encompassing all of the areas mentioned above. My practice also extends to the Lands Tribunal where I regularly act in rating and valuation appeals, vesting compensation claims (including blight notice cases), compensation claims under Schedule 9 of the Land Registration Act (NI) 1970, and rent review arbitrations. I am currently a member of the Government Legal Service’s Senior Counsel Panel, having previously been a member of its Junior Counsel ‘A’ Panel for several years. Between 2017 and 2020 I was one of two Junior Counsel to the Public Inquiry into the Northern Ireland RHI Scheme. I have been an elected member of the Bar Council since 2003.

Qualifications

1997: LL.B.Trinity College, Dublin

Experience

The Independent Public Inquiry into the Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (the RHI Inquiry) – 2017-2020

In the matter of an application by Siobhan McLaughlin [2018] UKSC 48

In the matter of an application by Denise Brewster [2017] UKSC 8

Cooley’s Application [2017] NICA 50

In the matter of an application by E.H. [2017] NIQB 107

Mid-Ulster District Council’s Application [2017] NIQB 32

Mayers v Commissioner of Valuation, Lands Tribunal neutral citation VR/3/2014, delivered 06 October 2015

James F Fitzpatrick Solicitors v Allan Associates Architects [2015] NIQB 41

Commissioner of Valuation for NI and Debenhams PLC [2014] NICA 49

Reilly v DRD, Lands Tribunal neutral citation R/10/2011, delivered 31 August 2012

McMahon t/a Irish Cottage Trading v Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs 2012 NICA, GIR8657.

McClurg & Ors v Royal Ulster Constabulary [2009] NICA 37 (lead case appeal judgments are at [2009] NICA 33, 34, 35, 36 and 38)

Bonner Properties Ltd v McGurran Construction Ltd [2009] NICA 49

HM Customs & Excise v- Isherwood [2008] NIQB 104

McClurg & Ors –v- Royal Ulster Constabulary (‘PTSD Group Action’) [2007] NIQB 53 (synopsis is at [2007] NIQB 54; lead case judgments at [2007] NIQB 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and 86)