Mary-Claire Kelly

Partner

Pronouns: she/her

Mary-Claire joined Clan Childlaw as a Partner in April 2020. She has extensive experience as a social welfare and housing lawyer. Before joining Clan, Mary-Claire worked as a solicitor at Shelter and latterly the Civil Legal Assistance Office.

Mary-Claire has been recognised by the Law Society of Scotland as an accredited specialist in Housing and Residential Tenancy law. She sits as a legal chair in the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property) Chamber.

Latest

Update on the UNCRC Bill

Yesterday the Scottish Government announced how it plans to bring the UNCRC Bill within the Scottish Parliament’s devolved powers following the Supreme Court ruling in October 2021.
Continuing Care, implementation, and the gap in rights protection

Legal Policy Manager Katy Nisbet writes about the importance of the right to Continuing Care and considers Clan Childlaw's role in helping children to access their rights.
Housing Rights and After Care

7 June 2022, 10.00 - 15.00. This training is provided as part of Clan Childlaw’s work to end youth homelessness. It will be of interest to anyone working with care experienced children and young people, including housing advisers, social workers, carers, and advocacy & support workers.
SOLD OUT - Housing Rights - Private rented sector

15 June 2022. 10.00 - 13.00 This free half day workshop will focus on the rights of private sector tenants. The workshop will be led by two expert lawyers, Mary-Claire Kelly from Clan Childlaw and Vicki Pirie from Shelter Scotland.

Erika Kotyuk

Administrator
Katy Nisbet

Legal Policy Manager
Joan McNeill

Head of Operations
Megan Houston

Administrator
Agota Rauktyte

Project Co-ordinator
Debbie Shannon

Legal Support Co-ordinator
Sarah Campbell

Trainee Solicitor
Abi Wood

Trainee Solicitor
Micheál Phelan

Project Co-ordinator
Catriona Phillips

Communications Manager

Access to Records
What changes will the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 make for children and young people?

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020 improves legal protection for children's right to be heard in courts and children's hearings and their right to a family life with their brothers and sisters - this blog explains the changes it will make
What we do

Clan Childlaw is Scotland's law centre for children and young people. We protect and strengthen children’s rights and improve their lives.
Changes to the Law for Brothers and Sisters

On 26 July 2021, the law changed on what local authorities and Children’s Hearings have to do to support brothers and sisters.
Sibling rights

We have long called for the law to be changed to prioritise care experienced children and young people's sibling relationships and are delighted that these changes are now law
Current Vacancies

We do not currently have any vacancies at Clan Childlaw.
Are you a child or young person without British citizenship? Here’s some advice on how to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

Children and young people, including care leavers, must apply to the EU Settlement scheme if they are an EU, EEA or Swiss national. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2021.
UNCRC in Scotland: What does the UK Government’s legal challenge mean?

Our Legal Policy Manager Janet Cormack explains what has happened so far with UNCRC in Scotland and what could happen next.
Child law case summaries

Summaries of cases undertaken by Clan Childlaw.
Law student essay competition

To mark our 10-year anniversary, we asked law students around Scotland: What is the biggest children’s rights issue in Scotland and how can the law be used to resolve it? Congratulations to winner Michael Malvenda!