Bridget McVay - Call 1990

Career

1984 – 1987        London School of Economics LLB (Hons)

1990 – 1993       Registry of the European Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg

1994 – 1995       Britton Street Chambers, London

1995 – 2004       Mitre House Chambers, London

2004 – 2009       Clerksroom

September 2009   Octagon Chambers

Areas of Practice

Family

Bridget joined Octagon Chambers in September 2009 . She has brought with her many years of experience in London and the South West.     Her expertise and enthusiasm lies in cases involving children (both public and private) where children/parents have special needs, learning difficulties or are simply struggling in difficult emotional situations. She is very approachable but robust when a case demands it.

Bridget is equally happy acting for parents, children or the local authority in care work and has considerable experience in all aspects of children law. She is frequently instructed in cases involving habitual residence and leave to remove from the jurisdiction.

Bridget also specialises in cases of domestic violence, injunctions, occupation orders and finding of fact hearings. She also has experience in matrimonial finance cases and in particular enjoys the legal challenge of TOLATA cases where the parties cohabited.

She has a sympathetic and insightful approach to all her cases. She takes the time to help and support her clients through the court experience. In May 2010 a client in a TOLATA case wrote, “a huge thank you for your work and especially your support and warmth through the court case.”

A fluent French speaker herself, Bridget’s other expertise lies in her work with foreign clients which has developed in her immigration and family practice over the years. She is used to working through interpreters.

All Bridget’s creative energy is used in approaching her cases from all angles to ensure that a successful and workable outcome is achieved. She is a qualified mediator and uses these skills in her negotiation of settlements/agreements.

Immigration

Bridget had extensive experience of immigration law whilst in London and was often in the High Court doing emergency applications.    Since moving to the South West she still takes on immigration cases and particularly welcomes instructions in asylum, marriage and student visa cases.

Reported cases

SSHD v Nargis Chowdry (2nd February 1998) Court of Appeal
The Queen on the application of AM (Cameroon) v the AIT and the SSHD [2008] EWCA Civ 100

Interests

Bridget has two lively sons and two dogs who keep her busy. Her interests include travelling, swimming and pottery.

Professional Memberships

Inner Temple
Western Circuit
Family Law Bar Association

Areas of Practice

Criminal Law
Contract
Courts Martial
Customs & Excise
Family & Child Care
Inquests
Insolvency
Licensing
Personal Injury
Property
Regulatory Law