Judith Gibson – Solicitor
Direct email: judith@paduffy.com
Judith Gibson graduated with an LLB Hons Law from Queen’s University Belfast, followed by a Master in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Ulster. She graduated from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in 2013 and took up a legal role in the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry and then the Renewable Heat Incentive Inquiry. Judith is our expert family law practitioner and has held roles in the Departmental Solicitor’s Office and the Official Solicitor’s Office dealing with vulnerable patients who do not have capacity to give legal instructions.
Judith’s primary interest is with family law issues and she has a wealth of experience in the family courts. She has dealt with numerous cases involving private and public law family matters, in the Domestic Proceedings Court, Family Care Centre and High Court. She is skilled at negotiating with Social Services to attain the best results for her clients without delay. She regularly takes and defends proceedings such as non molestation orders, contact and occupation orders and public law Orders.
She is also trained specifically to deal with clients suffering from domestic violence and abuse, and can offer expert help and support in this area. She deals regularly with clients who are considered high risk of domestic violence by professionals under MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Committee).
Judith specialises in divorce, separation, matrimonial agreements, and ancillary relief proceedings. Judith will deal with these issues promptly and efficiently to gain the best outcome for the client in what are difficult and emotive circumstances. Judith can advise you on the best way forward post separation.
Judith also works closely with the Office of Care and Protection and the Official Solicitor’s Office in the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast dealing in all matters relating to mental capacity for Patients and Minors under the Mental Health legislation. She gives advice on enduring power of attorney, controllership applications and secures legal support for those who are not capable of giving legal instructions by reason of a mental health disorder with the Mental Health NI Order 1986. If you have concerns regarding a relative’s ability to deal with their affairs, then Judith can advise you how best to protect their interests.
Judith is head of the family law department at PA Duffy and Company. Through her work she has established a thriving practice in all areas of family law. Judith has written various expert articles which consider the current law in Northern Ireland and proposes reforms that are aimed at challenging and continually improving this area of law. She is a staunch advocate of promoting the rights of the child in family proceedings and this is reflected in her work.
Recently Judith became an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children Order Panel. This is a professional body which qualifies a select group of family solicitors to represent parties in all public law and private law proceedings under the Children Order (NI) 1995. Judith has undertaken specialist training and examination to deal with all family law matter such as Residence Orders, Contact, Care Orders and Adoption cases.
In her spare time Judith enjoys playing the piano and violin, having achieved the Associate in Piano performance (ATCL) with Trinity College London. She also enjoys sport and is a keen supporter of rugby. She was appointed as the Club Welfare Officer for Dungannon Rugby Club and enjoys this role in safeguarding the children and young people in the club.
Notable Cases:
M v M (High Court Divorce and Ancillary Relief proceedings involving substantial assets.
C v C High Court Proceedings for payment of Child Maintenance.
A v W – High Court Contact Proceedings – taking on behalf of mother for more contact with the subject child – application successful for assistance by the Official Solicitor for a patient lacking capacity.
AS v H – Proceedings taken in the Family Proceedings Court for a Specific Issue Order under Article 8 of the Children NI Order 1995 to dispense with father’s consent to sign renewal passport applications.
In the matter of the subject child – Northern Health and Social Services Trust NHSST v A and B ( Care proceedings in which the subject child is placed with the father and mother seeks more contact and shared care)
Y v Y (defending a high court appeal against a ruling granting a non molestation order)
In the matter of the subject child – Southern Health and Social Services Trust SHSST v E (Care proceedings in which the parents was granted an Article 16 Family Assistance Order)
J v J -Non Molestation Order granted to protect the client from serious ongoing domestic violence.
A v B – Civil Injunction proceedings taken to protect client under the Protection for Harassment NI Order 1997 against abusive and intimidating behaviour from a neighbour.
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