Type of service: Advocacy (legal)

Website: http://www.mkblaw.co.uk

MKB Law provides legal services across a broad spectrum, including matrimonial and family, the only area of law we do not practise is criminal law.

Anne Marie Kelly, partner in the family law department, a solicitor with 25 years' experience, is a member of the Children Order Panel and the Northern Ireland Guardian ad Litem Agency Panel. She represents children in specified proceedings, including care and adoption. She is the author of papers on the rights of the child, and has helped to train social workers in court room techniques..

Anne Marie Kelly also works in education law. She receives referrals from Autism Northern Ireland and from SENAC (an advocacy service for children with special educational needs). She has been successful in a number of judicial reviews including a case where a child was not receiving appropriate education in a mainstream school, where, following the judicial review, the outcome is that a supportive specialist school placement has been found for him, and his educational potential is being maximised. She has been successful in challenging in a case a Stage 3 Code of Practice had not been put in place. She is involved in an ongoing application for leave to bring judicial review proceedings concerning provision of ASD units.

MKB Law operates a full legal aid service. If a case is considered worthy of judicial investigation, a full legal aid certificate is then applied for in the name of the child. .

Gender: All genders

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Child protection, Education, Family law, Lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection, Learning disability, Mental capacity, Welfare benefits, Wills and trusts