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Overview
Saoirse is a specialist in child and public law. She joined Albion Chambers in January 2025 having previously practised at another Bristol chambers.
Saoirse has a thriving practice, regularly appearing in a wide range of public child matters. She has experience with cases involving serious allegations of non-accidental injuries to babies and children including infant death, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, drug and/or alcohol misuse, neglect, mental health issues and abduction at every stage of care proceedings from urgent EPOs to final hearings. Saoirse also frequently appears in the High Court in applications concerning deprivation of liberty for children and young people.
Saoirse accepts instructions to act on behalf of local authorities, public bodies, parents, children and interveners. She has completed the FLBA’s Vulnerable Witness Training and often represents individuals with vulnerabilities, learning disabilities and capacity issues.
Prior to joining the Bar, Saoirse worked as a financial market analyst in the city, managing a US equities desk.
Notable cases:
- Re A (2024): Represented children in public law proceedings, in a combined fact-finding and final hearing, triggered by the alleged non-accidental death of a younger sibling.
- Re A Child (2024): Represented the local authority in the High Court in a matter involving a relinquished baby.
- Re J (2023): Appeared in the High Court, in a case which involved the child being made a ward of the court, following their removal from the jurisdiction. Their return from a West African country directed.
- A Local Authority & Ors (2023): Represented a local authority in a 7-day fact finding hearing in the Court of Protection.
- Re T (2023): Represented a father in a 10-day fact finding hearing. The children had been subject to significant physical and emotional harm by other parties. Findings made against other parties.
- Re A (2022): Represented the local authority in response to a combined application for injunctive relief pursuant to the Human Rights Act 1998, sections 7 and 8, and judicial review.
- Re A Child (2022): Represented a parent who had killed the other parent whilst the mother was pregnant with the child.
- Re A Teenager (2021): Represented a teenager who sought to challenge the making of a care order in order to move from foster care to independent living.
Published judgments:
- PJ v HB [2023] EWHC 3400: Represented the respondent mother in an appeal by the father against an order reducing his contact with child, following his refusal to accept findings of fact made against him.
