Fiona Hunter

The role supports the Commissioner to fulfil her statutory function of keeping under review law, practice and services which relate to the rights and welfare of children and young people in Northern Ireland.

Ms Hunter joined NICCY with over seven years’ post qualification experience within private practice, which focused primarily on aspects of children’s law and youth justice matters.

She graduated from Newcastle University in 2010 with an honours degree in law before attending the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) and qualifying as a solicitor in 2012. She was admitted to the Children’s Order Panel in 2017.

Commenting on her appointment, NICCY chief executive Mairead McCafferty told Irish Legal News: “We welcome Fiona to our legal team. Her experience will be a great asset in addressing breaches of children’s rights or their best interests.”

Senior legal and investigations officer Colette Donaghy added: “It’s great to have Fiona join us. She will assist children and young people and their parents/carers and others acting on their behalf, as well as assisting in our broader legal work.”

Ms Hunter said: “I have always maintained a strong interest in children’s rights and really look forward to using my experience in the field to lead on youth justice for NICCY.”