The Children's Court Guardian Agency for Northern Ireland (CCGANI) is announcing that it is opening the Panel for new applicants and re-registration for current members. The solicitors on the Panel work in tandem with Guardians to provide legal representation for children who are the subject of proceedings under The Children (NI) Order 1995 and proceedings within the Adoption (NI) Order 1987.
The Agency provides a regional service across all the court tiers and is committed to providing a quality service to all children. Current solicitor availability is lowest across the Western and Northern Trust areas, and as such we are keen to strengthen Panel membership within these areas.
In 2021 there were 130 solicitors on the CCGANI Panel. Over the last 5 years, 17 solicitors left the Panel and so the Agency is opening the Panel for new applicants to join the 113 current solicitors on the Panel and replenish the numbers to the original 130. A waiting list will be established. It is a requirement that applicants have been on the Law Society Children Order Panel for a minimum of two years.
For new applicants, the Agency will host two MS Teams Information and Q&A sessions to provide information on the operation of the Panel from the perspectives of both the Agency and an existing Panel Solicitor
The information sessions are scheduled on
25 September 2026 at 4pm; and
29 September 2026 at 4pm
Applications will open week commencing 5 October 2026.
All forms should be submitted to Angela Marshall at PanelAdministrator@ccgani.hscni.net by Friday 20 November 2026 at 4pm.
Applications received after this date will not be considered.
Further information on registering to attend an information session, application forms and information packs, will be available in due course at the link below: