Family lawyer and mediator Kevin O’Riordan has joined island law firm M&P Legal as a consultant.

Mr O’Riordan runs a separate practice as a family and civil law mediator.

He has previously worked as an advocate for other Manx law firms and before that practised in the Cayman Islands and England.

He qualified as a mediator in 1995 and has been involved in many high level family law matters.

He is a past president of the Isle of Man Law Society and has sat as a panel Deemster and occasional Deputy High Bailiff in the Isle of Man.

His practice focuses on trust, family and matrimonial disputes.

He has a wide knowledge of Isle of Man and English trust and family law and comes recommended by independent directories the Legal 500 and Chambers UK for his family law related work, also being listed in Citywealth.

John Aycock, managing director of M&P Legal, said the firm was pleased to include him among its team of consultants.

He said M&P Legal now has access to specialist lawyers who provide high level expertise and experience in some legal areas, including employment law, personal injury and accident law, matrimonial and family law, property transactions, corporate and commercial work and general litigation disputes.

Mr Aycock said: ’Kevin’s vast know-how will greatly help the firm’s family law team and will provide our clients with expert backup.

’Kevin will also mentor our younger advocates and will provide a sensible sounding board for the team here.’

lMeanwhile M&P Legal has also announced an internal promotion to fill a newly- created lead role.

Its associate Amelia Quinn is the new head of private client work at M&P Legal.

She will focus on developing the firm’s work in areas such as family law, wills and estate planning, including dealing with the growing demand for enduring powers of attorney.

She will continue working in her established fields of private client litigation, personal injury and employment law.

Miss Quinn joined M&P Legal five years ago after training as a barrister in England.

She qualified as an Isle of Man advocate in 2018 and shortly after she obtained the general practitioner’s certificate in data protection.

She has worked in private client and dispute resolution including conducting employment and equality tribunals, advising one of the island’s large unions, acting in matrimonial disputes and helping clients with wills, probate and general estate planning.

Miss Quinn said: ’I see this as an exciting opportunity to lead this firm’s growth into areas where demand continues to increase. M&P Legal always strives for a gold service to its clients and I shall be making every effort to maintain standards of excellence.’

Mr Aycock said: ’Amelia’s progress here has been rapid from paralegal, trainee advocate, advocate to departmental head. This shows the opportunities available and that we are quite prepared to invest in our existing staff who, on a daily basis, help maintain the firm’s reputation. Those who seek private client services are very often experiencing troubled times. They need sensitivity and a holistic overview of needs and appropriate action required. Amelia has the right attributes to help these clients and lead the firm’s strategy.’