Services

At Mc IVOR FARRELL we understand how difficult things can get that’s why we are here to help. It costs nothing to speak to us about any legal matter that is on your mind so call us on 028 9023 7053 or 028 9032 4565 for prompt  professional advice. We offer home and hospital visits when necessary as well as 24hr call out attendances for arrests at Police Stations throughout Northern Ireland.

 

We Have A Strong Reputation In The Following Areas :

Criminal Law


From the very minor to complex and serious crime we are on your side. We will guide you through the process expertly from detention and questioning at the police station to representation at Court. Our team of Criminal Solicitors and Advocates will ensure your representation is to the highest level. We are renowned internationally for our Human Rights based approach to Criminal Defence and have received recognition from The Brehon Law Society, New York, for our

Outstanding Criminal Defence Advocacy in Northern Ireland

We offer 24hr call-out representation at Police Stations throughout the jurisdiction.

Compensation Claims


Our claims team are on your side and can assist in all compensation cases including Road Traffic Accidents, Medical and Professional Negligence Claims and Accidents at Work or in Public Places. If you have an injury and believe blame rests with someone else we are here to help you recover your maximum financial entitlement. We have recently settled cases for hundreds of thousands of pounds and can advise you in relation to the setting up of Personal Trusts to protect your financial interests. If you are unable to come to see us we can arrange to see you, it’s that simple so call us now.

Domestic Violence

If you are suffering from domestic violence you need help and we are on your side to provide all the legal protections available to you. We have helped hundreds of people to protect themselves and their children against the horrors of domestic violence. Please don’t suffer in silence, we are on your side and just a phone call away so call now.

Matrimonial Breakdown

Unfortunately relationships can break down and when they do we are here to help. We can take you through the difficult process of Divorce or Judicial Separation and ensure you are catered for financially in a fair and reasonable manner. We can assist in all contact matters arising with any children of the relationship to ensure that your rights and their interests are protected. If you are separated and seek advice in relation to formally terminating the relationship or if you are having difficulties in the contact arrangements for your children call us now so we can help.

Judical Reviews/ Human Rights Cases


Sometimes The State can get things wrong and when it does we are here to help. If you feel aggrieved by a decision of any Public Authority or Statutory Agency please call us. We are one of the leading firms who offer advice in relation to Judicial Review and can guide you through what is a complex area of law.
We also offer assistance in relation to Legacy Inquests and cases where an individual’s death is brought about by the actions of the State. We understand the sensitivities involved in these type of cases and are more than happy to facilitate home visits if preferred. If you have any concerns about the death of a loved one either by State Forces or as a result of State failings please contact us.

Prison Welfare/Parole Hearings

As Criminal Defence experts our involvement does not end at the Sentencing Hearing. We take pride in our after care provided to Prisoners and their families and attend all Prisons regularly to deal with general welfare issues arising and to guide prisoners through the Parole Process.
We have a strong reputation for preparing and attending Parole Hearings for prisoners convicted of serious crime and are keen to ensure liberty is restored to prisoners at the earliest opportunity.
If you have a friend or relative in custody who is currently going through the Parole Process call us and we can assist.

Mediation

McIvor Farrell are one of the few firms that offer Mediation Services. We understand the Court process can be expensive and subject to delays so as an alternative we can mediate disputes that may arise at a fraction of the cost and within a much quicker timescale. We are Certified in accordance with the standards required for Certified Member of the Mediators Institute of Ireland so you can be assured your Mediation will be to a high standard.

Medical Negligence

We have significant experience across a wide range of cases arising out of medical and dental negligence.

The legal issues in these cases can be very complex and there will often be significant volumes of medical records to consider.

It is important that you contact us as soon as possible if you feel that may have a claim for medical or dental negligence.

Our recent successful cases have included a client of child bearing age who underwent an unnecessary hysterectomy procedure, a client who underwent unnecessary internal surgery purportedly to remove a cancerous growth where the surgery itself was then performed negligently leaving our client impotent and requiring a colostomy bag and a client who suffered significant symptoms requiring a prolonged stay in intensive care following perforation of an internal organ.

We have also recently successfully negotiated the settlement of a claim on behalf of the family of a lady who died from pulmonary embolism following joint replacement surgery due to a failure to undertake appropriate post-operative monitoring and medication.

We are currently acting in cases involving a client left gravely disabled following a stroke precipitated by a failure to monitor blood pressure after kidney removal surgery, a client who has suffered dropped foot following knee replacement surgery and obstetric cases involving still birth and placental abruption during emergency Caesarean Section delivery.

We will ensure that in dealing with your case that you have the benefit of some of the leading medical experts in the UK along with the assistance and input of expert barristers throughout.

Serious Injury Claims

If you have suffered a serious injury it is important that you obtain expert advice from the very outset. Serious injuries can have lifelong consequences for the person involved and indeed their entire family whether that is emotionally, practically or financially. They may not be able to return to their pre-accident employment or even return to employment at all. They may have future care needs or require operations or specific treatment as a consequence of their injury. Serious long term injury can also have a significant psychological impact on the person concerned.

It is often the case that defendant insurance companies and their representatives will strongly challenge these claims in an attempt to reduce what can otherwise mean having to pay out a significant amount of compensation to a seriously injured person. It is therefore crucial that you have experienced solicitors working on your behalf to be equally strong in protecting your interests.

In cases involving serious injuries, we will ensure that medical and other experts such as forensic accountant of the highest calibre are instructed on your behalf.

Some of the cases we have been involved in include amputations, serious hip/pelvic fractures, other serious fractures, chronic pain conditions preventing any return to employment and lifelong care requirements, head and brain injuries.

Fatal accident cases

We act on behalf of bereaved family members where an accident has resulted in the death of a loved one. These cases can be very distressing for those involved and we will ensure that you are offered the help and advice that you need. These cases can often involve financial consequences for the family and we will ensure that appropriate financial experts are engaged on your behalf.

Judicial Review

We have pursued a number of cases against public bodies to challenge decisions, which have adversely affected our clients. These cases will commonly involve prisons, hospitals or schools.

We have challenged the Education Authority on behalf of a special needs child where the child’s parent met significant resistance when attempting to deal with the education authorities on her own. McIvor Farrell were then instructed and immediately secured legal aid funding to bring Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court. Thereafter, we obtained evidence from an expert educations psychologist and ultimately successful in securing a place for the child at an appropriate special needs school where he will receive the attention and education, which he deserves and where he will undoubtedly now flourish.

We are currently instructed on behalf of a patient with significant brain injuries and other complex needs. Our client is the care of the Belfast Trust and we are challenging decisions made by the Trust to move our client to different accommodation where we are arguing that this was against his will and not in his best interests. In the context of this challenge we are hopeful of securing a placement for our client at an appropriate facility with a specialist care package to address his complex needs.

Defamation

If you find yourself in a situation where material or information has been published or spoken about you, which you believe to be defamatory then contact us as soon as possible. We have been instructed in circumstances involving highly defamatory material printed in a Sunday newspaper wrongly associating our client with historical Troubles related matters. High Court proceedings were issued on behalf of our client and the matter was listed for trial before a jury before a settlement was eventually agreed along with an apology printed in the newspapers in question.

Historic Abuse

We are currently instructed in a number of such cases, which can involve schools, care homes, the church or even individuals. This can range from allegations of physical and sexual abuse to the failure of social services to appropriately manage children in the care system, which can result in lifelong consequences for the person involved. We understand the sensitive nature of the issues involved. We also understand that it can be extremely difficult for someone to find the courage to discuss their experiences and that this is a process, which can often take many years.

Accidents at Work

Our litigation solicitors have acted in a vast range of claims on behalf of people injured during the course of their employment. There are a number of health and safety regulations, which apply to these cases covering every type of employment and it is important that you obtain expert advice. We have acted for employees injured at work in the construction industry, in factories, in shops, pubs and clubs.

Accidents Abroad

Some people may believe that it is too difficult or not even possible to pursue a claim for injury or sickness sustained whilst on holiday. This is not the case. In these circumstances, you have a right of action against the tour operator through which the holiday was booked when certain conditions are satisfied and your case can be taken in your own local court in Northern Ireland.

We have successfully pursued a number of cases in this area recovering damages for personal injuries, loss of enjoyment of the holiday along with a refund for some of the costs of the holiday where appropriate and we are currently instructed by the parents of a young girl who sustained a severe scalding injury when hot liquid was spilled on her during a flight home to Dublin airport from her holiday in Greece.

It is important to remember that if your case involves an accident on an airplane or at sea that shorter time limits apply for pursuing legal proceedings in these types of cases and you should therefore contact us straightaway.

Accidents in Republic of Ireland

Cross boarder travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is quite common and it is not unusual for drivers from Northern Ireland to be involved in road traffic accidents in the Republic of Ireland. There are however different rules and procedures for pursuing accident claims in the Republic of Ireland. For example, a 2-year time limit applies for pursuing your claim rather than the 3-year period, which applies in Northern Ireland. An application must be submitted to the Injuries Board, a government body established to assess claims for compensation, before any court proceedings can be issued and there is certain legislation to be complied with. It is also the case that the quantum or value of injury claims in the Republic of Ireland can be much higher than in Northern Ireland. Our litigation solicitors can assist you with all of this and we will engage similarly experienced agents in the Republic of Ireland where court proceedings become necessary to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your injury.

Road Traffic Accidents

We have considerable experience in road traffic accident claims. We can assist you whether your accident involves a minor collision or an accident of the most serious nature. We will arrange an independent inspection of our vehicle along with a replacement vehicle whilst your own is off the road. We will make arrangements for the repairs to your vehicle and recover any depreciation in the value of your vehicle as a result of an accident. If your vehicle is written off or deemed uneconomical to repair then, by engaging an independent engineer, we will ensure you recover the appropriate pre accident value for your vehicle.

Chancery

If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in a situation where a bank or other financial institution is seeking to take possession of your home then speak to us as soon as possible. This can involve the mortgage company or an institution from which you have borrowed money and secured the loan on your house.

These can be very stressful situations and it may seem that there is no solution or way out of it. This is not the case. The court will usually be very reluctant to allow the repossession of a family home. There are a number of considerations, including Human Rights, which the courts will take into account before allowing this to happen and this approach has been confirmed in many cases, which have previously come before the courts in Northern Ireland.   We will act in your interests to defend the family home from any financial institution seeking to take possession of it.

Probate

In recent years, it has become more common for the contents of wills or even the will itself to be disputed by family members. These situations may arise where a family member wishes to challenge the validity of a will and alleges that an earlier will should be relied upon. There may be allegations of undue influence having been brought to bear on the person who made the will or it may simply be the case that a family member who was not provided for in the will wishes to challenge this. We have ongoing cases in all of these areas.