Biography
Sara is an Irish Barrister and Senior Counsel. She was called to the Bar in 1996, having previously qualified (TCD, 1988) and practised as a pharmacist for a number of years. Sara took silk (became a Senior Counsel and Member of the Inner Bar) in 2013 and became a Bencher of the Honorable Society of King's Inns in 2023. In 2019, Sara was admitted to the Bar of England & Wales and is a member of Middle Temple. Sara was admitted to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2023.
Sara has a broad legal practice, including professional & clinical negligence, personal injury, child/family law and judicial review/non-jury, with further interests in chancery, probate and mental health law. Sara is also a qualified Mediator (CEDR) and Arbitrator (FCIArb).
Sara is an elected member of the Bar Council of Ireland (since 2019) and is a former Chair of the General Council of the Bar of Ireland (September 2022 to September 2024). In addition to serving as Chair of the Council, Sara has also chaired the Bar of Ireland Professional Practices Committee (2020/21 & 2021/22), the Arbitration & ADR Committee (2019/20) and the Law & Women Mentoring Programme (2019 to 2022). Sara is also a faculty member of the Bar of Ireland Advanced Advocacy Programme and a former Mental Health Tribunal Chairperson (2016 to 2022).
From an extra-curricular perspective, Sara is a dog-lover, keen swimmer, fledgling white water kayaker, and self-professed foodie, in addition to being an avid reader and lover of music, theatre and all things travel-related!
See also https://www.lawlibrary.ie/members/sara-phelan-sc/