Rebecca Suttle
Call 2012
EXPERTISE
Family
Rebecca accepts instructions in all areas of family law including private and public law children cases. She has represented parents, Guardians, Local Authorities and interveners at all tiers up to and including the High Court. Rebecca is also well versed, and has a particular interest, in representing children as a separate party to proceedings.
Rebecca’s experience includes cases involving non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, factitious illness, vulnerable adults, adolescent parents and complex cultural issues such as honour based violence, FGM and forced marriage. She has acted in multi-day final, composite and fact finding hearings including as led junior for the Local Authority in a case concerning the infliction of catastrophic injury in which findings were ultimately made against a special guardian.
In addition, Rebecca is frequently instructed on behalf of the police and Local Authorities to provide written advice and representation in disclosure and PII applications; an area in which she has a keen interest .
Rebecca also appears in injunctive proceedings and continues to build her practice in financial remedy work accepting a broad range of instructions in matters arising from the dissolution of a marriage.
APPOINTMENTS
- First-Tier Tribunal Judge, Social Entitlement Chamber
EDUCATION & AWARDS
- LLM Advanced Legal Practice Northumbria University - Distinction
- M Law Excepting (incorporating the BPTC) Northumbria University – First Class
- Baron Dr Ver Heyden de Lancey Prize - Middle Temple
- Certificate of Honour - Middle Temple
- Linda Sykes Memorial Prize for Best Graduating Student - Northumbria University
- Northumbria Law Press Prize for Best Final Year Project - Northumbria University
- UK Human Rights Lawyers Association Bursary Award 2012
- Northumbria University Honour Roll 2010-2011
- YLCE Education Award
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Rebecca is visiting lecturer at Northumbria University and a contributor to the quarterly Environmental Law Review which includes case law and legislative updates prepared in conjunction with Newcastle University.
Rebecca is also instructed by the Government Legal Department (GLD) under the "Junior Junior" (JJ) scheme.
Rebecca is fully committed to the continued representation of both privately and publicly funded clients and can accept instructions on a public access basis .
Prior to joining Chambers, Rebecca spent time as a defence intern at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Thereafter she worked as a legal assistant for the Libyan Government in the case of The Prosecutor v Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi before the International Criminal Court. She is keen to maintain links with international practice.
Rebecca also worked with the Prison and Probation Ombudsman assisting with research in to deaths in custody and the treatment of serving prisoners which contributed to Ministry of Justice publications regarding end of life care and the use of restraints on seriously ill and dying prisoners .
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.
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.