Ciara Moran

Crime

Ciara has a well established criminal defence practice. She has appeared as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal, and regularly practises across the Crown and Youth courts. Lay clients have described her as “outstanding”, and she has been commended by the judiciary for her “courage, and the fight in her.”

Ciara also welcomes instructions in quasi-criminal matters such as applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act and firearms or other licencing appeals.

Immigration

Ciara is instructed in asylum, human rights, deportation and private immigration matters. She works across the First and Upper Tier Tribunals. While she has broad knowledge and experience across all areas of immigration work, she has a particular focus on asylum and protection claims and frequently works with victims of trafficking and torture. She acts  for claimants in judicial review proceedings, and has experience challenging civil penalties in the immigration enforcement context.

Prior to joining the Bar, Ciara volunteered as a researcher for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in a legal clinic for asylum seekers, and at a national charity supporting victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.

Public & Prison Law

Ciara accepts instructions across the breadth of public law and human rights, working on both judicial review claims and civil actions against the police, prisons and other state bodies.

She is regularly instructed in civil claims against prisons under the Equality Act and Human Rights Act, as well as acting for prisoners in claims for negligence and assault. She is also instructed in judicial review challenges to Parole Board decisions and can assist with all aspects of prison law issues.

Ciara was also recently instructed pro bono by a nationwide workers’ advocacy group to draft proposed amendments to a bill going through Parliament which threatened to worsen their working conditions.

Housing and Community Care

Ciara accepts instructions across the spectrum of housing work, from homelessness, possession, disrepair and anti-social behaviour claims to general property and landlord and tenant work. She brings a meticulous and thorough approach to her property law work. She is further able to assist with all aspects of community care work, and her immigration law practice means she is particularly well suited to advise on migrant welfare and asylum support.

Civil

Ciara began her career at the Bar at a mixed common law set, and so brings a thorough grounding in civil litigation and advocacy to all the areas of work she undertakes. She is able to undertake general common law work such as claims in contract or tort, and especially welcomes civil instructions in actions against the police and claims for unlawful detention.

Ciara further has experience in claims arising under the Inheritance Act 1975, and alternative dispute resolution.