Barrister Profile

Main Areas of Practice

Administrative Law or Judicial Review
Family Law
Human Rights

Qualifications

2004-2007; LLB (Hons) Law Degree, Nottingham Trent University

2008-2009; Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Legal Studies, Queen’s University Belfast

2009 (September); Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland

Experience

Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2009.

Since then I have specialised in all areas of family law to include the
following:

• Complex and protracted private law residence/contact arrangements;
• Cases involving allegations of hostility and parental alienation;
• Specific issues and prohibited steps orders such as issues of schooling, medical care, exclusion of individuals, name change etc.
• Education authority cases;
• Domestic violence cases including complex Re L Hearings;
• Emergency protection orders;
• Care order proceedings and subsequent freeing
• proceedings;
• Adoption cases;
• Domestic and international relocations;
• Hague Convention Proceedings.

I have acted on behalf of Applicant’s, Defendant’s, Authorities and Guardian ad litem.

I regularly deal with difficult and vulnerable clients such as clients with learning disabilities or borderline functioning, victims of domestic/sexual violence and hostile clients. I have also dealt with a large volume of professional clients and clients who live outside of the jurisdiction.

My regular practice is in Newtownards Family Proceedings Court, Belfast Family Care Centre and the High Court. I accept instructions across all Court tiers.

I also hold experience and have been regularly instructed in the following types of case:

• Harassment Injunctions
• Civil Ejectment Proceedings
• Judicial Review Proceedings
• Matrimonial and Ancillary Relief
• Maintenance Issues
• Non Molestation and Occupation Orders