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Graduation 2013

This year's ceremony was held on Friday 28th June 2013 at 7.00pm in the Whitla Hall.  The guest speaker was Minister of Justice Mr David Ford MLA.


Solicitor Trainees

The Hon Mr Justice Weir, Minister of Justice Mr David Ford MLA, Mrs Fiona Bagnall Presiding District Judge, Mrs Anne Fenton Director, The Rt Hon Lord Justice Higgins

The Thomasena McKinney Prize which is awarded to the top solicitor trainee in the year was presented by Mr Barry Finlay, past president of the Law Society, went to Una Mackle.

The Belfast Solicitors Association Prizes which are awarded to the three solicitor trainees who attain the highest average marks in the Diploma in Professional Legal Studies exams was presented by Fiona Sterrit of that Committee and went to Una Mackle (1st place).

The Carson McDowell Prize is awarded to the trainee who attains the highest standard in the drafting course was presented by Sir Anthony Campbell and went to Ryan Walker.

The Diageo NI Prize is awarded to the trainee who attains the highest standard in the Licensing exam was presented by Professor Ellen Douglas-Cowie and went to Jennine Buchanan.

The Fox Prize Fund is awarded to the bar trainee who achieves the highest standard in the Negotiation course was presented by The Rt Hon Lord Justice Higgins and went to Sue-Helen McConnell and Sophie Laverty.

The Megaw Gift Fund Prize is awarded to the bar trainee who achieves the highest standard in the Advocacy section of the course was presented by Mr John Maxwell, Under Treasurer of the Inn of Court, and went to Sue-Helen McConnell.

The Tyrone Prize is awarded to the trainee who achieves the highest standard in the County Court exam was presented by Mrs Fiona Bagnall, Presiding District Judge, went to Bernadette Hassan.


Therese Connolly, Solicitor Trainee

Ryan Walker, Solicitor Trainee

Solicitor Trainees

Solicitor Trainees


Nicola Leonard, Bar Trainee

Mrs Anne Fenton and Professor Ellen Douglas-Cowie

Sinead Kyle, Bar Trainee

Sophie Laverty, Bar Trainee

Michael Montgomery, Solicitor Trainee

Jennine Buchanan, Bar Trainee

Jude Copeland, Solicitor Trainee and Barbara Jemphrey, Associate Director

Christopher McIlroy, Solicitor Trainee

Martin O'Brien, Pauline Cheung and Ciaran Roddy, Bar Trainee

Aine Maxwell, Mary Traynor, Alan Gallagher and Pauline Cheung
Institute of Professional Legal Studies
10 Lennoxvale
Belfast BT9 5BY

Tel: 028 9097 5567
Fax: 028 9066 1192

Email: iplsenquiries@qub.ac.uk

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