Call 2007
Marian’s practice covers a range of inter-related areas of public law and immigration law. Her core areas of immigration practice are asylum (including the challenging of age assessments), economic and student migration (PBS system), free movement of EEA nationals and British nationality. Marian also has extensive expertise and experience in sponsorship compliance litigation and in challenging civil penalty notices for employing illegal workers.
Marian practises in the Administrative Court, the Immigration and Asylum Chambers of the First-tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal, the Administrative Appeals Chamber of the Upper Tribunal, the Court of Appeal (Civil Division). Her practice covers the full spectrum of immigration law.
Marian acts for individuals and institutions in relation to matters arising for economic migrants (Tiers 1, 2 and 5) including immigration sponsorship and license requirements. Marian also advises universities and individuals with information on Tier 1 and Tier 4 applications and regularly accepts instructions in these areas. In relation to Tier 4 visas, she advises and acts for individuals and also for schools, and colleges in relation to sponsor licenses (issue, suspension and revocation matters).
Marian also acts in domestic violence and asylum cases for law centres and other publicly funded bodies and has particular experience in cases involving trafficking and child exploitation. Her experience spans family reunion and other child matters including particular experience in deportation when there are extant family and social care proceedings and the procedural protections afforded by article 8 ECHR. Marian also acts regularly in spousal visa and dependent relative applications.
Marian is regularly instructed in conducting challenges to deportation and has been instructed in a number of successful appeals featuring serious assault and drug and sexual offences. Marian also has particular experience in cases involving exclusions from the Refugee convention and exclusion on national security grounds.
Marian has an extensive public law practice mostly challenging the decisions of central government and local authorities. She is accustomed to working to tight deadlines, particularly in the context of urgent judicial review challenges to removal directions or deportation arrangements; and has persuaded High Court judges on the telephone, and on paper, to stop enforcement action.
Having been called to the Bar, Marian was awarded a scholarship by Northumbria University to work within a legal clinic and undertake a research LLM into International Criminal Law. She was then awarded a Joseph Priestly scholarship by the Inner Temple to work within the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance in Blantyre, Malawi, representing prisoners and advising them of their rights. Following this, she worked at the International Criminal Court in the Hague within the Office of the Prosecutor, as an Erasmus scholar, and later as a Direct Assistant to the Prosecutor. She was involved in the prosecution of Thomas Lubanga, looking at the use of bone and dental records in determining the age of child soldiers. On her return to the UK, she worked as a project co-ordinator for Amicus a charity providing representation for prisoners on death-row within the US.
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 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 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.
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 2025
'Chris Gibbin can only be described as outstanding - an unsung hero! He is a great ambassador for Trinity Chambers'
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 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 experience has stood her in good stead being in a client focused role. Fiona also looks after Chambers Governance and Compliance, and collates Chambers submissions for the Legal Directories.
Outside Chambers Fiona and her Labrador Olly volunteer with Wag & Co North East Friendship Dogs.
Steve joined Trinity Chambers in 2018 as Lead Civil Clerk. He has worked in the legal industry for 30 years, initially as a Litigation Executive at a number of firms in Manchester and then, from 2004, as a Clerk at leading sets in Manchester, London and Newcastle. Having worked as a litigator for many years prior to becoming a clerk, Steve is acutely aware of the pressures Chambers’ clients work under and goes out of his way to ensure the service they get from Chambers goes beyond that of our competitors.
As well as day to day management of the civil diary Steve is heavily involved in business development and client relationship management for the Civil Team. He is always more than happy to discuss with clients how Chambers, Members of Chambers and the Clerks might tailor the service we offer to best suit your needs.
Legal 500 2025
'Steve Walker is the perfect clerk'
'Steve Walker is a personable and sensible clerk'
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Trinity has a really good clerking team. I deal mostly with Steve Walker, lead civil clerk, who is a pleasure to deal with. He and the rest of his team are very approachable and responsive.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steven Walker is excellent.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steve Walker has a very good knowledge of the market. He is a very helpful clerk.' 'Steve Walker is very responsive and helpful.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Steve Walker has always been efficient and helpful.’ ‘All of the clerks are responsive and helpful. Steven Walker is superb.’ ‘Steven Walker will go above and beyond for his clients ensuring that instructing solicitors are matched with the right barrister matching their skill set for the matter.’ ‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Steve Walker is responsive and very helpful.' 'Steve Walker is very hard-working and does a good job looking after the barristers.' 'Steve Walker is very proactive, easy to talk to and will sort things out if we need any help.'
Legal 500 2022
'Steve Walker is excellent. He takes the time to understand the problem and works around the clock to ensure expectations are met.'
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