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Mark O'Callaghan

Mark O'Callaghan

  • Called to BAR: 2001
  • Costs and Costs Recovery
  • Divorce
  • Family & Children
  • Inquests
  • Personal Injury

Summary

I began practising family law as a pupil barrister in London. Almost twenty years on I have a busy practice incorporating both finance and children. Most of my direct access practice is in family law, and most of my family instructions are via direct access. Direct instruction is particularly suited to family cases, enabling a closer working relationship to be forged from the outset.

Specialist areas of law include

  • Costs and Costs Recovery
  • Divorce
  • Family & Children
  • Inquests
  • Personal Injury

Profile description

Children Act

I am frequently instructed to provide advice and representation in contested child arrangement order proceedings. Most of my children work is in the private law sphere but I do have experience of adoption and care proceedings, and have appeared in the High Court in wardship matters. This provides a sound background in cases at the interface of public and private law i.e. disputes between parents in which there is also some involvement with local authorities/social services.

This aspect of my practice includes:

  • 'Live With' and 'Spend Time With' Orders
  • Parental responsibility
  • Prohibited Steps Orders
  • Specific Issue Orders
  • Applications to enforce

Financial Remedies including TOLATA

In financial settlement proceedings, I appear at all stages of the court process, from first appointments through FDRs to final hearings and applications to vary and/or enforce. Increasingly, I am instructed in property and trusts disputes between formerly cohabiting couples. I am experienced in matters involving pre-nuptial agreements and declarations of trust pre-dating marriage.

I advise orally and in writing on likely outcomes of financial proceedings to assist in settlement. My civil experience helps identify opportunities to recover costs from the opposing party where possible.

Injunctions and Domestic Abuse

I often appear in proceedings featuring allegations of domestic violence and other forms of physical and emotional abuse. Many of these cases involve substance abuse and may have a mental health aspect. I welcome instructions to represent clients in such cases. Where injunctions are not complied with and breach proceedings follow, I am equally experienced in applying for or resisting committal to prison.

Civil litigation 

Civil costs experience includes CCMCs, provisional assessments and detailed assessments. In credit hire trials he is equally comfortable representing claimants, CHOs or insurers. Mark deals with personal injury and related fields covering public and employers’ liability, holiday claims, and road traffic including cases in which allegations of fraud have been intimated. He has a wealth of experience in low speed impact dating to the aftermath of Kearsley and Casey. Mark has completed a Masters degree in medical and healthcare law at Liverpool University. He is keen to take instructions in these areas. He has attended a short course at Sheffield University on Coronial Law and Inquests.

Personal

I am based in North Manchester but my practice regularly takes me much further afield. I am happy to travel when required. Away from work Mark is an accomplished runner, breaking the three-hour barrier in the 2017 London Marathon. He enjoys open water swimming and goes to classical music concerts wherever and whenever possible. 

Professional Memberships

PIBA, APIL, Liverpool Law Society.

Family Law Bar Association 

Testimonials

Saleem

“The clerks were promptly aware of my requirements and were able to recommend a number of specialist barristers at competitive prices.” “The clerks were promptly aware of my requirements and were able to recommend a number of specialist barristers at competitive prices.” Read more Read less

Ruth Clark

“I called Clerks Room Direct in February and two days later one of their barrister’s Stephen David, was representing me in court. From my first phone call to Rory I felt that I was in safe hands.” “I called Clerks Room Direct in February and two days later one of their barrister’s Stephen David, was representing me in court. From my first phone call to Rory I felt that I was in safe hands.” Read more Read less

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“The speed and quality of the service was astounding. I was recommended two extremely qualified, competent experts to discuss my matter with and had a telephone consultation within 24 hours.” “The speed and quality of the service was astounding. I was recommended two extremely qualified, competent experts to discuss my matter with and had a telephone consultation within 24 hours.” Read more Read less

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Contact Mark today
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