Tiarna O’Neill

Part of Team 4 in Keoghs, assisting 3 Solicitors on a range of Civil Litigation matters in the Court Court and High Court with a value up to £2,000,000. Including Road Traffic Claims, Public Liability, Employers Liability, Credit Hire claims and Fraudulent claims.

• Drafting – NOIDs, Appearances, Notice for Further and Better Particulars and Replies, Defences, review questionnaires and applications.
• Reviewing new files on receipt and considering evidence to determine strategy, considering any further evidence required considering damages and costs and preparing draft advice to the client summarising these issues for the solicitor to approve and send out
• Analysing medical, financial and documentary evidence to assess liability, causation and quantum, identifying evidential strengths and weaknesses
• Reviewing loss of earnings documentation and applying Ogden Tables in large loss cases to assist with quantum assessment.
• Preparing instructions to counsel and liaising with experts and third parties to support case progression.
• Experience interviewing Witnesses.
• Managing complex case materials with a high level of accuracy, including medical reports and financial evidence.
• Assisting in resolving CRU and NHS charges, for example: successful Mandatory reconsideration which reduced recoverable sums from over £6,000 to £0 through detailed review and challenge.
• Reviewing police disclosure and related materials in cases involving parallel criminal proceedings, strengthening understanding of evidential standards and procedural overlap.
• Attending on Counsel at trials and ensuring the insured clients and witnesses are supported and understand the process; contacting the solicitor when necessary to obtain instructions.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and maintain organisation, insuring important dates and tasks are diarised efficiently across multiple active files in a fast-paced litigation environment.
• Training new members of staff, some with no previous legal experience.
• Preparing trial bundles for Court
• Reviewing bills from Plaintiff Solicitors and advice clients, have firm understanding of costs scales.
• Experience with cost disputes.

I was the first point of contact on the advice line in the Law Centre, answering all inquires and extracting potential cases. Supporting solicitors and advisers in employment, social security and immigration matters.

• Handled sensitive enquiries, triaging cases and exercising sound judgement in identifying key legal issues at an early stage.
• Opened and progressed case files, gathered detailed client instructions and ensured compliance with procedural requirements and internal deadlines.
• Prepared tribunal and bundles for the Court of Appeal. Drafted supporting documentation, and assisted at hearings.
• Reviewed medical records, financial documentation and statutory entitlement criteria, strengthening my ability to assess evidential sufficiency, credibility and causation.
• Dealt with difficult clients professionally, insuring to implement my trauma informed training and reporting to my supervisor when faced with abusive clients.
• Gained experience with Legal Aid and using LAMS.
• Contributed to organisational initiatives including preparation for LEXCEL accreditation

• This was a busy café and I had to juggle serving customers preparing orders with attending on tables to ensure the customers’ needs were meet. During that time built strong relationships with customers, recalling names and regular orders to maintain rapport and loyalty. I also dealt with queries from customer over the telephone and resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally, and when appropriate providing feedback of issues to management. I regularly provided training new members of staff.

• Working in a busy shop allowed me to develop many skills which have assisted me in my career progression. I resolved customer complaints and processed issues with proactive problem-solving skills. Utilised multi-tasking skills by organising stock and the checkout area proactively between serving customers to maintain orderly shop floor when it was busy. Handled money with accuracy using numeracy skills to insure correct change was given. And developed great inter-personal skills dealing with the public each day.

My time at this café allowed me to develop my communication skills, while also highlighting my ability to thrive in high pressure environments. During the Summer period, Cushendall is a Holiday/tourist location, which caused to the café to be extremely busy. I took numerous orders and related information to kitchen staff accurately and efficiently. Insuring to specify dietary requirements. Demonstaring effective teamwork skills. I followed all cafe policies and procedures diligently for consistency in service quality.

My time as a youth leader contributed to and motivated my desire to help people. Along with other staff/team members ,I gathered resources and collated materials to prepare games and interactive lesson plans for youth. Along with my supervisor, informed and updated parents regarding status and developments of children, specifically when behavioral issues where present. In turn, dealt with difficult parents, using my calm and professional demeanor to provide reassurance and help mediate situations. Helped manage a budget for youth programs and trips. Helped my team schedule trips, parties and events for youth to explore and bond with peers. Dealt with children ages 5-14, providing guidance when needed support when upset. Identifying potential safeguarding issues and raising them with my supervisor if needed.

My time shadowing a doctor helped me navigate complex injuries and conditions. Allowing me to explore and lead me to the desire to pursue a career in personal injury law. It provided me with some medical knowledge I have implemented into my legal skill-set. Specifically interpreting medico-legal reports and reviewing medical records.