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Deirdre Smyth

Deirdre Smyth

  • Called to BAR: 2018
  • Contract Law
  • Family & Children
  • Immigration
  • Landlord & Tenant (Property)
  • Money Claims & Debt
  • Motoring Offences

Summary

Deirdre (Dee) is an experienced barrister with a diverse background who specialises in family law, civil litigation, motoring offences and immigration law. Dee has a busy practice involving all of these areas of law and is happy to accept instructions to advise and represent clients on a direct access basis in the Midlands and further afield. Dee is dual-qualified having been called to the Bar in both England and the Republic of Ireland.

Specialist areas of law include

  • Contract Law
  • Family & Children
  • Immigration
  • Landlord & Tenant (Property)
  • Money Claims & Debt
  • Motoring Offences

Profile description

Family - Children

Prior to joining the Bar, Deirdre was a children’s rights advocate, obtaining Criminal Injuries Compensation for young people in care. She has a background in social work and child protection.

Dee's busy family law practice includes the following areas:

  • Children matters (Care, Adoption, Protection and Child Arrangement Orders)
  • Divorce and financial settlement proceedings
  • All aspects of Local Authority proceedings
  • Injunctive proceedings before the family courts (non-molestation and occupation orders)

Dee has experience of representing both parents and local authorities on child protection matters. Her background in local authority child protection work makes her an ideal condidate for instructions on cases featuring heavy social services involvement. 

In her current practice, she represents clients in all private law hearings, including domestic violence and children matters. She also represents clients in public law matters (care proceedings).

Reported cases

  • Court of Appeal: Re S (A Child) 2016 EWCA Civ 495

  • Supreme Court of Ireland: Re J.G.H v Residential Institutions Review Committee and Anor 2017 IESC 69

Family - Divorce and Financial Settlement

Deirdre also accepts instructions to advise and represent clients in relation to divorce and financial settlement proceedings. She has experience of drafting Form E schedules for divorce settlement, regarding property issues, investments and debts. She attends court to deal with hearings in this field and she has used her mediation background to try and resolve issues with the parties; thinking outside the box so to keep focus and for them not to endure further costs.

Civil

While studying for her LLM, Dee was a County Court Advocate in matters relating to Landlord and Tenant Disputes, Personal Injury, RTA issues and Infant settlements. She will be happy to take instructions on these areas.

Criminal

Dee also has a background in the Probation Service, having worked as a Sessional Worker in Probation Hostels for residents with very serious offences. From that experience, Dee worked in the Probation Field team, working with offenders to successfully complete their sentence plans, but also visiting prisons, preparing Parole and Breach Reports for licence and Community Orders, when required. Dee through her social work and probation background, she has experience of working with vulnerable children and adults, mental health and substance misuse. In her current practice, Dee has undertaken trials in Magistrates Court and sentencing and other matters in the Crown Court. Through her LLM studies , Dee has an interest in Asylum, and Judicial Review cases.

Professional Memberships

  • Family Law Committee
  • Midland Women’s Forum
  • Women in Criminal Law

Qualifications

  • Call to the Bar 2016:
    Supreme Court of Ireland
  • Barrister at Law degree:
    Kings Inn, Dublin -Part time
  • LLM International Human Rights:
    Birmingham City University-Part-time
  • Call to the Bar 2011:
    Lincoln’s Inn
  • Bar Vocational Course:
    Inns of Court School of Law-Part-time
  • LLB (Hons):
    Wolverhampton University-Part-time
  • BA (Joint Honours) in American and Political Science Studies:
    University of Ulster, Northern Ireland

Post bar qualifications

  • Certificate from Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • ADR Civil and Commercial Mediation

Testimonials

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

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

Natalie Ryan

“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 Deirdre today
  • Go direct to save on solicitors’ fees
    Go direct to save on solicitors’ fees
  • We’ll find the right barrister for you
    We’ll find the right barrister for you
  • 1000+ barristers: all direct access specialists
    1000+ barristers: all direct access specialists
  • Save up to 42% with fixed costs
    Save up to 42% with fixed costs
    • Deirdre Smyth
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