Sinéad is one of the leading solicitors present on the Warwickshire, Coventry and Northampton family circuits. Sinéad predominantly specialises in care proceedings in both local Court centres, all cover the country, including in the Royal Court of Justice.
Sinéad is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and has been representing children since 2011 in both public and private law cases to ensure their voice is heard in court proceedings. Sinéad is also accredited on the Law Society’s Advocacy and Vulnerable Accreditation Scheme.
She undertakes work involving all aspects of public law proceedings, including care proceedings, The Family Drug and Alcohol Court, Secure Accommodation Proceedings, Deprivation of Liberty orders, Adoption proceedings, Leave to oppose adoption orders, Wardship proceedings, and Special Guardian applications/discharge applications. Sinéad also undertakes cases where there are parallel criminal investigations/proceedings ongoing due to the serious of the case.
In addition to representing children aged 1 day old to 17 years old, she also represents parents, grandparents and other family members who are involved in public law proceedings, and vulnerable adults who may require the assistance of the Official Solicitor to assist them in Court proceedings. Sinead also represents children in private law proceedings.
Sinéad is also a registered Legal Aid Agency Supervisor for the firm. She supervises, mentors and trains junior members of staff.
Sinead has a wealth of experience with cases that involve complex areas of law;
- Child death
- Cases involving non accidental injuries
- Serious cases involving fractures in babies and babies that have been shaken
- Cases Involving sexual abuse
- Chronic neglect
- Physical and emotional abuse
- Drug and alcohol abuse- FDAC Court
- Mental health illnesses
- Lay Advocates
- The Official Solicitor
- Serious domestic violence
- Placement Proceedings
- Adoption Proceedings
- Leave to oppose Adoption Order
- Special Guardianship Orders
- Secure Accommodation Applications
- Deprivation of Liberty Applications
- Contact applications with a Child in Care
- Child Assessment Order Applications
- Discharge of Care Order Applications
- Wardship Proceedings
- Inherent jurisdiction matters
- International elements across the world
- Brussels II
- FGM
- Fictitious illness
- Rule16.4 Applications- private law proceedings
- Public Law Outline Cases/Pre proceedings cases.
In her free time Sinéad enjoys travelling the world to experience different countries and cultures, and spending quality time with her family. She has also visited the Institution of the European Union. This included the Commission, The European Parliament, The Council Ministers, The Committee of the Regions, The European Court of Justice, The Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. Sinéad has been specialising in family law work since 2002. Her earliest memory of her wanting to be a solicitor was at age 4 years old!