Our People

Marie-Louise is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution department, which she joined when she qualified as a solicitor in 1998.

Marie-Louise advises clients in relation to contentious matters ranging from commercial litigation to matrimonial disputes.  Her experience includes challenges by way of judicial review to the exercise of public and administrative powers, commercial litigation including agency/distributorship disputes, injunction proceedings and procurement challenges.

Legal 500 2019 recognises Marie-Louise as a Leading Individual in Dispute Resolution and she is described there as ‘ferociously determined and never misses a point’.  She is also ranked in this practice area in Chambers UK, the 2019 edition of which records that “Sources speak highly of her as a ‘very academic and bright lawyer’.”

Marie-Louise acts for bidders and tenderers in relation to contentious procurement matters.  A client says: “Marie-Louise provides an excellent service. She is very knowledgeable and commercially aware.” (Chambers UK 2019).

Marie-Louise has been recognised as a notable practitioner in the area of Family/Matrimonial since 2013. Market sources have highlighted her “excellent knowledge of company and commercial law” and ability to “enable clients to feel more relaxed during a hugely stressful period of their lives.” (Chambers UK 2013). Marie-Louise guides private clients through the financial implications of separation and divorce and ancillary children issues.  Her experience in commercial disputes means that she is well placed to handle complex ancillary relief applications and particularly those with a corporate aspect.

In addition, Marie-Louise has represented clients in applications for new hotel, restaurant and off licences.  She has made applications for licence transfers and renewal and for entertainments licences.  She has also represented clients in relation to objected licence applications.

Areas of Expertise

Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Debt Recovery, Procurement (contentious), Matrimonial, Energy & Renewables, Licensing

Education

• LLB Law, Queen’s University Belfast
• LLM in European and Comparative Law, European University Institute, Florence
• Institute of Professional Legal Studies, Queen’s University Belfast