Anne Marie Kelly heads up the Family Law Department at MKB Law. She is one of the founding partners of the firm in 2003 alongside Gordon McElroy.

Anne Marie acts for clients in Divorces both defended and undefended. She assists partners, including company directors of family businesses, to achieve agreement on a division of assets through negotiation and if necessary, court proceedings. She drafts pre-nuptial agreements in marriages and civil partnerships.

Anne Marie assists parents to draw up residence and contact arrangements for children. This includes advising them on the provisions of the Children’s Order and applications to the Family Proceedings Court.

As a member of the Northern Ireland Children Order Panel and Guardian Ad Litem Agency Panel, Anne Marie represents children in public law including Care Order proceedings and Freeing for Adoption. Anne Marie’s highlights include:

Appointment as Chair of the Children’s Law Centre in Belfast and continuing in that role for a period of 10 years.

Becoming a member of the Children Order Panel and NIGALA Panel.

The effective collaboration with Guardian Ad Litems to secure positive outcomes for children in care including kinship placement and adoptions.

Referrals from Autism NI and SENAC to represent children on the autism spectrum in Judicial Review applications to obtain or improve educational statements of special needs.

Procuring a placement in a special needs school where the child had not been in education for a period of 12 months.

Acting for Co-Directors of a family business to ensure continuing success of that business despite marital breakdown and succession planning for the children of the family.

Memberships:
Law Society of Northern Ireland; Children’s Law Centre Belfast; Law Society Accredited Mediator Panel; Collaborative Law Panel

Outside Interests:
Anne Marie enjoys live music, theatre, cooking and books.

Interview with Anne Marie: