St John's Buildings

Family - Children

Niamh practises in all areas of children law, with a particular interest in public law proceedings.

Niamh regularly represents local authorities, parents, children and interveners at all stages of public law proceedings. Niamh is frequently instructed to draft written documents including threshold documents, case summaries, and skeleton arguments, and is happy to advise in conference where appropriate. Niamh has experience in public law proceedings involving complex issues including non-accidental injuries to children, serious emotional harm and significant neglect. Niamh has represented parents with learning disabilities, mental health issues and/or substance misuse issues.

In private law matters, Niamh has acted for parents and for Children’s Guardians appointed under Rule 16.4 at every stage of proceedings. She has a particular interest in cases involving allegations of domestic abuse and has experience representing vulnerable clients. Niamh has acted for parties alleging and/or disputing allegations of a serious nature, including allegations of physical and sexual abuse of children, and of domestic abuse of all forms. Niamh has experience in cases involving intractable contact disputes and the enforcement of child arrangements orders. As well as cases concerning the arrangements for children to live with and spend time with their parents and family members, Niamh has dealt with cases involving issues such as changes of name, internal relocation and removal of children from the jurisdiction

Having been granted the Gray’s Inn William Shaw QC Award, Niamh achieved an “Outstanding” grade in the BPTC and was called to the Bar in 2016. Prior to this, Niamh graduated with an LLB in Law with First Class Honours from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2015. Niamh accepted tenancy at St John’s Buildings in November 2017 following the successful completion of her pupillage.