Mairi Clancy
Call 2022
EXPERTISE
Mairi practices in both family law and crime.
FAMILY LAW
Prior to becoming a barrister, Mairi worked in child protection, private family and domestic abuse law as a paralegal for 5 years.
Child Protection
Mairi has broad experience in child protection cases. She regularly represents local authorities, mothers, fathers and children in public law cases involving issues of:
- Neglect
- Child abuse
- Vulnerable witnesses
- Special Guardianship carers
- Non-accidental injury
- Deprivation of liberty
Private Law
Mairi is regularly instructed by parents in private disputes about children’s residence and contact, non-molestation orders, prohibited steps and specific issue orders.
Mairi has experience in contested fact-finding hearings and final hearings involving issues such as:
- Domestic abuse
- Rape
- Parental alienation
- Change of a child’s name
Mairi has developed a particular strength in working with vulnerable clients such as domestic abuse survivors as well as those with:
- Learning difficulties
- Severe trauma
- Substance misuse issues
- Mental health issues
- An offending background
CRIME
Mairi has successfully prosecuted several cases instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service including:
- R v D: secured convictions for common assault, ABH and criminal damage for a sustained and violent attack against a former female partner.
- R v L & M: conviction of two defendants for homophobically motivated harassment. A hate crime uplift was applied to the sentence.
- R v A: successful prosecution of a convicted sex offender for breaching the terms of a sexual harm prevention order.
- R v C: successful prosecution of a convicted murder for a serious assault on two prison officers.
Appeals
Mairi successfully appealed a Football Banning Order imposed following an incident at the Newcastle v Chelsea match in 2022.
Defence
Mairi also has experience defending in the Crown Court and the Magistrates.
- Mairi successfully mitigated for a client who had pleaded guilty to a driving offence, persuading the court away from the guidelines to avoid a custodial sentence.
Police
Mairi regularly represents Police forces in applications for:
- Sexual Harm Prevention Orders
- Sexual Risk Orders
- Domestic Violence Protection Orders
APPOINTMENTS
- CPS Prosecutor, Level 2
EDUCATION
- Northumbria University Bar Training Course (Distinction)
- Northumbria University Graduate Diploma in Law (Distinction)
- Newcastle University Masters in Professional Translation (Merit)
- Newcastle University Government & European Union Studies with Spanish (2:1)
- Ascentis Level 3 Certificate in Community Interpreting
AWARDS
- The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn Prince of Wales Scholarship
- The Northumbria University Bar Training Course Scholarship
MEMBERSHIPS
- The Family Law Bar Association
- The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Mairi speaks Spanish fluently.
Mairi has completed 6 marathons including New York and Boston. She is an animal lover and has two cocker spaniels and a cat. Mairi is a supporter of Heart of Midlothian FC.
Steven Preen
Lead Family Clerk
Steve Preen joined Trinity in October 2011 after earning a position of considerable respect in HM Court Service where he worked for 17 years; he has come to Trinity with a very sound knowledge of Court procedures, especially on the Civil side.
Outside of Chambers Steve enjoys playing football at a semi professional level. He has undertaken an FA coaching certificate and coaches youngsters on a voluntary basis at a local club. He also enjoys spending time with his family and two children.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
'Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
'Steven Preen and Paula McLure are at the top of their game and will go the extra mile to ensure representation is available.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steve Preen is fantastic.’
‘Steve Preen is outstanding, he is highly personable and very helpful. A credit to chambers.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, and Ken McLafferty, clerk, are particularly responsive to any queries and are always very accommodating.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely friendly and helpful.’‘The clerks provide a good service; Steven Preen and Paula McLure are always incredibly helpful and respond quickly to requests.’ ‘Steven Preen is friendly and approachable, and there to help where he can.’
Legal 500 2022
'The family clerking is led by the dynamic Steven Preen and the unflappable Ken McLafferty who compliment each other to great effect.'
'Ken McLafferty and Steve Preen are excellent. They are friendly, accommodating and efficient.'
Ken McLafferty
Family & Immigration Clerk
Ken joined Trinity in March 2007 after seven years clerking in Durham, culminating in being the Senior Clerk and taking on all the responsibilities so required. Working in Durham gave him the opportunity to return to the city where he spent three years enjoying life under the guise of studying for his degree in Theology and Religious Studies.
When not following the trials and tribulations of his chosen football and baseball teams Ken enjoys cooking and tending to the charges in his allotment - where he fights a losing, and seemingly never-ending, battle against the elements, weeds, and caterpillars.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, and Ken McLafferty, clerk, are particularly responsive to any queries and are always very accommodating.'
Legal 500 2022
'The family clerking is led by the dynamic Steven Preen and the unflappable Ken McLafferty who compliment each other to great effect.'
'Ken McLafferty and Steve Preen are excellent. They are friendly, accommodating and efficient.'
Paula McLure
Family Clerk
Paula joined Trinity in June 2016 after 26 years in HM Court Service where she reached a position of considerable respect as the Civil and Family Listing Officer for Northumbria, skills which have stood her in good stead in her new role. Paula has come to Trinity with a very sound knowledge of Court procedures, especially with regard to listing.
Outside of Chambers Paula enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
'Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
'Steven Preen and Paula McLure are at the top of their game and will go the extra mile to ensure representation is available.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paula McLure is a huge asset, very professional and flexible.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely friendly and helpful.’‘The clerks provide a good service; Steven Preen and Paula McLure are always incredibly helpful and respond quickly to requests.’
Erin May
Family & Court of Protection Clerk
Erin joined Chambers in December 2023 after 15 years working as a Legal Secretary, 9 of which spent working as a PA in a busy family department in a well-regarded Newcastle based Law Firm. During this time she developed great organisational skills, knowledge of Court procedures and family processes.
Outside of Chambers Erin enjoys painting, gardening and walking her dog along the Northumberland coastline.
Liam Gorman
Lead Criminal & Regulatory Clerk
Liam joined Chambers in August 2010 as an Office Junior after leaving school at 17. He has held a number of positions in Chambers before becoming a Criminal Clerk in 2014. In 2017 Liam became our Lead Criminal and Regulatory Clerk. In this role, Liam is responsible for the Practice Management and Development of all members within his Team. This includes fee negotiation, diary management and business development across the group.
Chambers & Partners 2024
‘Trinity Chambers has one of the best set of clerks in the North East Circuit. Liam Gorman is the lead criminal and regulatory clerk.’
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerks are attentive and quick to get back to you. Liam Gorman can sort any problem out quickly.’
Legal 500 2022
'The clerks, in particular the lead criminal clerk Liam Gorman, are excellent. Incredibly helpful and friendly and always respond quickly to queries. Have never had a problem with the service they provide, and they make everything very easy.'
'The criminal team is run to perfection by Liam Gorman.'
'Liam Gorman is a fantastic friendly clerk always willing to help.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'The lead criminal clerk Liam Gorman is particularly good.'
'We receive exemplary service.'
Chris Gibbin
Clerk
Chris had over 9 years experience as a Senior Clerk in a barristers chambers in Middlesbrough before joining Trinity Chambers. Prior to that Chris worked in the Lord Chancellors Department, now HM Courts and Tribunals Service, at Teesside Combined Court Centre for over 10 years. During that time Chris covered most areas but the majority of his experience was gained in dealing with Criminal and Family Law matters. Chris’ latter years in the LCD were spent in the Listing Office at Teesside Crown Court where he developed his skills which ultimately saw him transferring to his role in a barristers chambers.
Chris is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Outside of work Chris enjoys playing cricket for Marske Cricket Club in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, watching football and rugby and socialising.
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2022
'Chris Gibbin is an extremely helpful and experienced clerk.'
'The Teesside branch is spearheaded by Chris Gibbin who is extremely helpful and efficient.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'I cannot fault the clerking services – Chris Gibbin in Middlesbrough is very helpful, offers prompt responses and is always willing to assist.'
Fiona Bullock
Direct Access Clerk
Fiona joined Trinity Chambers in 2007 after an established career in some of Scotland's top hotels and restaurants.
After gaining a BA in Hotel Catering and Management, Fiona progressed with her Food and Beverage Management career and on moving to the North East, she became one half of a North Yorkshire restaurant.
Fiona is Chambers Direct Access clerk and has found that her previous education and experience has stood her in good stead being in a client focused role.
Outside Chambers Fiona and her Labrador Olly volunteer with Wag & Co North East Friendship Dogs.
Chloe Lau
Criminal & Regulatory Clerk
Chloe joined Chambers in November 2010 as an office junior after leaving school at 17.
She has held a number of positions in Chambers before becoming a Criminal & Regulatory Clerk in March 2022.
Chloe is responsible for the general day to day management of the Criminal and Regulatory teams' administrative activities.
Outside of work Chloe enjoys socialising with friends and spending time with her young family.
Edward Shepherd
Criminal & Regulatory Clerk
Edward, known as Ted to those who know him, joined Trinity in 2024 as a Clerk in the Criminal and Regulatory teams after working 5 years in the quality and compliance and the day-to-day coordination and management of operations at a Northeast commercial law firm.
Edward’s interest in law, specifically criminal law, dates back to his university days, where he achieved a 2:1 BA (Hons) degree in Criminology from Liverpool John Moores University in 2018.
Outside of Chambers Edward enjoys long-distance running, socialising with friends and following Middlesbrough Football Club.