Tanya Jennings – Senior Associate Solicitor, Head of Family Practice

Tanya Jennings holds both a BA (Hons) and a Law degree with 2:1 Honours from Queen’s University Belfast. She was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 1996 and brings 29 years of specialist experience in Children’s and Family Law.

As Senior Associate and Head of the Family Law Department at McIvor Farrell, Tanya leads on complex and high-value matters involving divorce, ancillary relief, and matrimonial agreements. She also specialises in Public and Private Law Child Cases and Probate matters. She is widely recognised for her work in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and most recently, the Supreme Court, where she acted in a landmark case involving a child’s application to revoke their father’s parental responsibility.

Over nearly three decades of practice, Tanya has built an outstanding reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s leading family and child law solicitors. Her track record of successful outcomes, deep legal expertise, and compassionate approach have made her a trusted advisor in even the most sensitive and contentious cases.

She has extensive experience in both private family disputes—including child contact, residence, prohibited steps and specific issue applications and in public law matters involving applications for Care Orders and Supervision Orders or Trust safeguarding concerns. Tanya regularly represents parents, children, and grandparents across a wide range of family proceedings and is known for achieving favourable results in highly complex and emotionally challenging cases, including the successful reunification of children with their families.

She also provides skilled representation to parents involved with the Health and Social Care Trust, including at case conferences, pre-proceedings meetings, and all stages of court proceedings.

Tanya is a:

• Member of the Law Society’s Children Order Panel
• Member of the NIGALA Solicitor Panel
• Belfast Trust Solicitor Representative on the NIGALA Solicitor Panel Reference Group

In her NIGALA role, Tanya represents children’s wishes, feelings, and best interests. She is also highly experienced in working with non-competent clients, ensuring the Official Solicitor is appointed and that those individuals are fully supported and fairly represented throughout the process.

Tanya also has extensive experience in domestic violence cases, having successfully obtained Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders to protect victims and support criminal prosecution of perpetrators. She was previously a legal advisory member of a local Women’s Aid Management Committee and has provided pro bono legal advice through their One Stop Shop service, further demonstrating her long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals and families.

With her exceptional depth of experience, Tanya is widely regarded by clients and colleagues alike as a leading figure in family and child law in Northern Ireland.
With nearly three decades of specialist practice, Tanya is regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s most trusted and experienced family law solicitors, with an exceptional track record in both private and public law matters.