Legal CPD Events

The Legal and Investigations team run a regular series of legal CPD events. You can find out more about past events below:

Should you wish to refer any individual matters to us or to seek advice or information from us regarding children’s rights please do not hesitate to contact any member of the team who will be happy to assist.

December 2021 Event

Restraint and Seclusion in the Educational Context: a legal perspective for parents and practitioners

Speaker: Kevin Morgan BL

This seminar examined the use of Restraint and Seclusion in educational settings. The speaker gave a general introduction to the area, spoke of European convention on Human Rights considerations before exploring recent case law in the area, with a particular focus on SEN children.

The seminar also explored the impact the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act 2016 will have on this area. A short Q & A session followed. The seminar will be of interest to legal practitioners who practice in the area of children’s rights, family law and education, as well as parents.

Presentation  

December 2020 Event

‘When it’s good to poke your nose in someone else’s business: NICCY & Children’s Rights Cases’

Tuesday 8th December 2020 10.00 – 11.00am

Speaker: Ciaran White BL

This seminar examined how the role of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) can be beneficial to solicitors and counsel acting in Judicial Review actions regarding children’s services, including education, health services, accommodation, and other statutory entitlement and rights, and how the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is/can be invoked by applicants and NICCY in such cases.

This webinar was part of the NI Human Rights Festival 2020 running from 7 – 11th December

December 2018 Event

“Preparing and Presenting a SENDIST Case: A Practitioners Guide”

Guest speaker – Mr Paul Shevlin, SENDIST Chairman

Mr Paul Shevlin has been a chair of Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal since its inception. He chaired the first Tribunal appeal held in this jurisdiction. He formerly practised as a solicitor in a number of local firms, and was awarded by the Law Society in 2010 the title “Senior Solicitor of the Year”. He is also a chair of the Exceptional Educational Circumstances Body.

November 2017 Event 

“Better than that” 

The Right Honourable Sir John Gillen was guest speaker at our autumn Legal CPD Event on 23 November. He spoke about how the review of family justice will enhance the rights of children and young people.

March 17 Event 

“The Coming of Age of the Children (NI) Order 1995”

Guest Speaker – Mrs Justice Keegan

This event considered the impact the Order has had on children’s rights in its 21 years. Mrs Justice Keegan reflected on the current state of children’s rights and how to build upon the progress to ensure that rights are fully realised.

Past events – see below previous CPD events

Criminal Record Disclosures: Conviction and Non- Conviction Information

NICCY hosted a CPD seminar on Friday 16th October 2015.

The speakers were Tom Clarke from AccessNI and Chief Inspector Brenda Cairns from PSNI.

The Last Resort: A case exploration of the dangers of one-dimensional public decisions in respect of children in custody

This CPD event took place on Wednesday 26th November 2014 at the Hilton Hotel, Belfast. The speaker at the event was Emma Little BL.

The Voice of the Child – Evidence from the Child in Children Order Proceedings

This CPD event took place on Tuesday 11th March 2014 at the Hilton Hotel, Belfast. The speaker at the event was Andrew Magee BL.

Best Interests of the Child

This CPD event took place on Tuesday 26 November 2013. The speakers were District Judge McKibben and District Judge Conner.

You can view the speeches here: