Gillian Geddes (1997)
Principal Areas
of Practice
Family (specialising in children)
Immigration/Asylum (including immigration advisory work for local authorities)
Background
Prior to becoming a barrister, Gillian worked as a professional theatre actress and musician, working extensively in the UK and internationally. Having met friends and worked with colleagues from a broad spectrum in the past, Gillian is comfortable representing clients of all backgrounds and cultures in her legal work.
Gillian was awarded the top Karmel Award from Gray's Inn during her legal studies.
Professional Experience
As well as working for many years as an independent family practitioner in public and private matters, Gillian has worked full-time in-house with two local authorities for over two and a half years, gaining useful insight into representing social services departments.
Earlier in her career, Gillian was selected onto two panels of junior counsel for instructions by the (then) Immigration Casework Directorate (ICD) for a two-year period to represent the Secretary of State on asylum and immigration appeals, and to design and deliver applied advanced Human Rights Act training throughout the ICD and the Immigration Service, including that of the Channel Islands. Gillian now possesses a thorough knowledge of this area of law. Gillian has also successfully represented many clients on appeals against the Secretary of State both at Tribunal level, and in the Administrative Court on Judicial Review.
Between 2002 and 2003, Gillian also advised the Attorney General's office on potential vexatious litigation matters under section 42 of the Supreme Court Act 1981.
Other Activities
Gillian designs and delivers training to lawyers and social work professionals. Her current training courses are:
- Court Skills work for social work professionals
- The Public Law Outline
- Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children/Immigration law in Child Care work
- Adoption - a Legal and Practice Overview
Publications
Gillian writes book reviews for Family Law and is co-author of the third edition of "Working in the Family Justice System" due to be published in early 2010 (Family Law).
Professional Memberships
Hon. Soc. of Gray's Inn
Family Law Bar Association
Immigration Law Practitioners Association
