Ep 99: Domestic Violence – a reflection on the justice system in NI, featuring solicitor Anne Marie Featherstone

We kick off the New Year and the new season of the Activist Lawyer podcast with an interview featuring family law expert Anne Marie Featherstone. Anne Marie, a solicitor at Rafferty and Co Solicitors in Newry, shares insights into her legal career and her journey to specialising in all areas of family law. In this important conversation, Anne Marie and Sarah delve into the legal system's response to domestic violence. This discussion is particularly timely, given the alarming number of women who have lost their lives due to violence in the UK, and specifically in Northern Ireland, over the past year and beyond.

Anne Marie Featherstone is an experienced family law practitioner who works in Rafferty and Co Solicitors in Newry, County Down.  Her experience includes working on the law society for Northern Ireland Children Order Panel, working on the Court Children Guardian panel and on The Hague Convention panel for the abduction of children.  Anne Marie has a Masters in Human Rights and Criminal Justice where she focused her dissertation focusing on children’s rights in the youth court.  Anne Marie has great familiarity with the courts in Northern Ireland and the needs and assistance required for those who find themselves seeking support and guidance in the family law arena to include the area of domestic violence.  Anne Marie has been involved in a number of reported cases including McG v McG (2002) NIFam10 and in one of the recent post office Horizon cases in the Court of Appeal (2023). 

Trigger Warning: This podcast episode discusses sensitive topics, including domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know needs help and support in relation to domestic violence, please see the following links:

• 24 Hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (NI) https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/24-hour-domestic-and-sexual-abuse-helpline
• Safe Ireland (ROI) https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/
• Refuge (UK) https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
• Police UK https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/support-organisations/