Úna is undertaking a Family pupillage under the supervision of Pauline McHugh and Hannah Wood.
Úna has observed hearings in complex care proceeding cases under Pauline McHugh including cases involving issues of non-accidental injury and serious allegations of abuse and neglect. Úna has overseen conferences with a variety of clients, including vulnerable clients such as those acting through the Official Solicitor and child parents. She has also observed representation of professional clients such as local authorities and Children’s Guardians. Úna receives guidance from Pauline on how to conduct cases in a legally and procedurally fair manner, give robust advice where warranted, and fearlessly put a case.
Úna has also observed hearings and financial dispute resolution appointments in high-value matrimonial finance cases under Hannah Wood. Úna has seen how nuanced asset division can be with reference to leading principles such as needs-based outcomes and ‘matrimonialised’ property. Úna has been privy to meticulous advice in conferences and private FDRs, as well as tactical negotiation skills. Úna has also observed hearings with other members of Chambers in private children law matters and learns how to keep proceedings welfare-focused amidst difficult co-parenting dynamics.
During her First Six, Úna has completed a variety of shadowing work with positive feedback from her supervisors. For example, drafting orders, chronologies and position statements. Úna has also carried out case study exercises to practise leading her own case preparation.
Úna has a large portfolio of experience within the Family Law field. She is originally from Ireland and worked as a family paralegal in Belfast, which involved assisting the Partner on complex divorce and ancillary relief cases. Since moving to Manchester, Úna worked has worked as a family paralegal in a busy child care department of a national law firm. During this role, she was given the opportunity to manage her own caseload of clients. The clients were predominantly involved with care proceedings and Úna played a vital role in conducting meetings, taking instructions and drafting court statements. She worked with a number of vulnerable parents, who appreciated Úna’s personable and warm manner when dealing with sensitive matters.
During her time as a paralegal, Úna was also permitted to carry out advocacy in representing a Respondent to a non-molestation order application and a Respondent at a Dispute Resolution Hearing and Appointment. She gained positive feedback from clients on her ability to take initiative with confidence. Aside from this, she has shadowed a number of family barristers over several mini pupillages. She was also awarded the opportunity to marshall with HHJ Caroline Wright, Family Circuit Judge of Swindon, following a mooting competition.
Úna completed her Barrister Training Course with a Distinction and was awarded a Certificate of Honour from Middle Temple for her results. Alongside her studies, Úna was also a volunteer for Independent Domestic Abuse Services. She assisted the charity in producing a research project on the experience of domestic abuse survivors within private law proceedings, with a particular focus on the circulating ‘parental alienation’ term. She has been passionate about garnering survivor voices on how domestic abuse concerns can be properly managed in a court setting.
Education
- Barrister Training Course with Master’s, BPP University, Manchester (2025)
- Law LLB, First Class, University of Bristol (2022)
Awards
- Certificate of Honour, Middle Temple (2025)
- Godfrey Heilpern Memorial Scholarship, Middle Temple (2024)
- J.P. McManus All Ireland Scholarship (2019)
Memberships
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Northern Circuit
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Family Law Bar Association
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Women of Irish Heritage
