Tadhgh is a family law specialist accepting instructions in all areas of family law. He has experience representing clients from first to final hearing at all levels up to and including the High Court, including in complex, international multi-day trials. He is confident acting alone or as junior counsel.
Prior to law, Tadhgh worked as an Actor and International Educational Consultant. He has performed all over the world and has extensive experience of working with international and super-high and high net worth families, particularly those with specific religious or cultural requirements.
Reported Cases:
Tadhgh has a particular interest in Hague Convention proceedings and frequently appears in the High Court on such matters. He has experience at every stage of such proceedings including multi-day contested final hearings. He also regularly undertakes work under Article 21 concerning international contact arrangements.
Tadhgh successfully represented the respondent mother in her change of habitual residence defence in BD v BJ [2023] EWHC 1613 (Fam) before Mrs Justice Judd.
Tadhgh appeared for the Respondent in a notably complex matter A v B & Anor [2023] EWHC 3041 (Fam) which included issues concerning his client’s capacity, a child with very significant needs (autistic and non-verbal), the child being taken into short term care by the Police, intervention by and joinder of the Local Authority, and intersection of Hague proceedings, Public Law, and Private Law principles under Section 5 of the Child Abduction and Custody Act.
Tadhgh accepts instructions across the full breadth of private law children work.
He has experience in cases concerning internal and international relocation, cross border child arrangements, contact disputes, allegations of abuse and parental alienation, gender neutral parenting and trans children, and all aspects of parental responsibility (children’s names, school selection, medical treatment, and religious practice/upbringing).
Tadhgh also has experience in urgent and ex parte Wardship cases brought under the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction and acting for LGBTQIA+ parents, grandparents, and other family members.
Tadhgh was instructed as junior counsel to Deborah Eaton KC in a successful international leave to remove application to America: TR v JM [2022] EWFC 60.
Tadhgh recently appeared in the High Court in a complex, three day fact finding hearing concerning cross-jurisdictional contact: ES v DC [2024] EWHC 968 (Fam)
Tadhgh acts in all aspects of family finance proceedings, including matrimonial finance, enforcement, variations, and applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.
He has experience in both providing advice for and acting in Notice to Show Cause proceedings, international enforcement, issues regarding non-matrimonial property, religious divorce, non-engagement, and pre-/post-nuptial agreements.
Tadhgh has also appeared in both court and Private FDRs and acted for LGBTQIA+ clients in cohabitation, civil partnership, and matrimonial finance proceedings as well as interested third parties such as parties’ parents.
Tadhgh accepts instructions in public law proceedings on behalf of Guardians, parents, other family members, and Local Authorities. He has a particular interest in international or cross-cultural proceedings.
Tadhgh accepts instructions from members of the public on a direct access basis and can provide both initial advice in conference and representation at hearings.
Tadhgh is qualified to work as a mediator in both financial and child related disputes.
Reputation & Awards
He is a highly effective advocate, with great attention to detail in his preparation.
Solicitor, Stowe Family Law
“Always thoroughly prepared and across all of the detail of the case […] He is brilliant with clients, who feel reassured by both his thoughtful and considered advice and warm and confident manner.” – Associate, AFP LLP.
“He is a highly effective advocate with great attention to detail in his preparation.” – Solicitor, Stowe Family Law.
“Helpful and well prepared.” – Partner, B P Collins.
“[A] client, who was extremely demanding, described his case preparation as “second to none”. [… Another] client described Tadhgh as “incredible”. […] His preparation and attention to detail has been very impressive.” – Partner & Head of Family, Griffith Smith LLP.
“Picks up papers very quickly […] produces excellent position statements and draft orders […] very well prepared for hearings.” – Head of Family Law, Lyons Davidson.
“Tadhgh shows maturity way beyond his age and experience.” – Head of Legal Practice, OLS Solicitors.
“I would highly recommend Tadhgh. […] I am extremely impressed with how quickly he can grasp a case, and proactively consider wider issues. Tadhgh is friendly and approachable for clients and able to put them at ease straight away. You really feel he cares about the client and the case.” – Solicitor, Stowe Family Law.
“Very impressed by his quick grasp of the facts, but also his bedside manner.” Senior Solicitor, Stowe Family Law.
“Continuously impressed by his efficiency and commitment […] offering his sound judgement and advice throughout. Tadhgh’s preparation for hearings has been both thorough and considered and he is always on hand should you require advice. […] it is incredibly reassuring to work alongside counsel who is on the ball and is committed.” – Solicitor, Streeter Marshall LLP.
“Incredibly diligent, attentive, and has dealt deftly and sympathetically with some very vulnerable clients in difficult circumstances. […] able to identify and press forward cases with skill and great success.” – Martin Nossel & Co.
“Careful consideration and a delicate, yet forceful, approach […] Tadhgh was patient and understanding […] incredibly professional and exceptionally thorough in his work. […] Tadhgh is an excellent advocate.” – Trainee Solicitor, Landmark Legal LLP.
Awards and Scholarships
- Lord Haldane Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn, 2017)
- Hardwicke Entrance Award (Lincoln’s Inn, 2017)
- McMahon Law Studentship (St. John’s College, Cambridge, 2018-2021)
- Full Advocacy Scholarship (BPP Law School, 2018)
- Mooting Competition Prizewinner (Lincoln’s Inn, 2018)
- Lord Denning Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn, 2018)
- Debating Shield (Lincoln’s Inn, 2019)
- Buchanan Prize (Lincoln’s Inn, 2019)
- Young Barrister of the Year Shortlist (Family Law Awards, 2021)
- Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year Shortlist (Advocate, 2021)
- Pegasus Scholarship to the American Inns of Court (2022: Washington D.C., California, New England, and Colorado)
Education
- St. John’s College, University of Cambridge, MA (2008-2011)
- City, University of London, GDL (2017-2018)
- BPP Law School (2018-2019) Bar Professional Training Course: Outstanding, and LLM: Distinction. (Highest Advocacy Grade in the Year.)
Professional Memberships
- Family Law Bar Association
- The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
- The Southeastern Circuit
- Advocate
- FreeBar