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Joanna is an experienced practitioner specialising in public law care proceedings and private law proceedings. She is regularly instructed by local authorities, respondent parents and on behalf of children. She is a formidable advocate and has excellent forensic attention to detail. She specialises in fact-finding in complex cases involving inflicted injuries, sexual assault and domestic abuse.
She is known for her down-to-earth, sensitive approach with vulnerable clients and her calm demeanour. She has a proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and always goes above and beyond for those she represents.
Public Law
Joanna represents local authorities, parents, children and intervenors at all stages of public law proceedings; from initial applications and urgent hearings through case management, to contested fact findings hearings and final welfare disposals. She appears in cases involving domestic abuse, coercive controlling behaviours, neglect, complex inflicted injuries and sexual abuse allegations. Her forensic attention to detail and rapport with clients make her a formidable advocate.
Private Law
Joanna acts in all matters in private law, including contact and residence disputes, specific issue and prohibited steps applications, disputes relating to internal relocation, medical intervention and education. She has significant experience with representing vulnerable clients in Finding of Fact Hearings where there have been serious allegations, including sexual abuse, domestic abuse, neglect, parental alienation and alcohol and substance misuse.
NLC v M & Ors [2025] EWFC 60 (B) – represented a local authority in a 2-week composite hearing where the LA sought findings in relation to fractures of the skull and collarbone and subdural bleeding in relation to a 5-month-old child.
P & Ors, Re [2025] EWFC 378 (B) – led by King’s Counsel, represented a father in a 2-week fact finding hearing involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
2025 – represented a mother in a 2-week fact find with allegations of neglect, physical harm and sexual abuse.
2025 – private law fact finding. Represented a father defending against numerous allegations of sexual and physical abuse and coercive and controlling behaviours.
2024 – represented a 15 year old child in a case involving allegations of Honour Based Abuse perpetrated by the parents against the child.
2024 – represented a mother in a fact-finding hearing following her child presentation with an inflicted fracture to the skull.
2023 – led by King’s Counsel, represented a local authority in a 3-week case involving allegations of historic sexual abuse dating back to 1985.
2023 – represented mother in fact-finding hearing involving allegations of inflicted injury to a 4-year-old child.
2023 – private law fact-finding. Represented father defending against allegations of rape and physical abuse.
2022 – represented teenage sisters who applied to have Forced Marriage Protection Orders discharged.
2022 – represented a vulnerable intervenor facing allegations of shaking a baby and inflicting injuries.
2021 – led by King’s Counsel – represented a father in a composite hearing, facing allegations of causing 5 separate fractures to a 4-month-old child.
- Legal 500 2026 – Leading Junior "Joanna is an extremely capable advocate in all areas. Her case management documents, and skeleton arguments are well thought through and presented, she is a very competent advocate, and she engages with each of the complainants and enables them to give their best evidence."
- Legal 500 2025 - Leading Junior "A formidable advocate with a sensible head, a calm demeanour and steely confidence."
- Legal 500 2024 - Leading Junior "Joanna is meticulous and methodical. A strong advocate with the ear of the court, she has great professional judgement and is unafraid to fight for her client."
- Legal 500 2023 - Leading Junior "Joanna is excellent with clients - she has a superb bedside manner. A junior who will go the extra mile to accommodate clients. She is able to find the needle in a large haystack of disclosure."
- Vulnerable Witness Accredited
- LLB (1st Class Hons)
- North Eastern Circuit
- Middle Temple
- Family Law Bar Association
- Women in Family Law
“"Joanna is an extremely capable advocate in all areas. Her case management documents, and skeleton arguments are well thought through and presented, she is a very competent advocate, and she engages with each of the complainants and enables them to give their best evidence."”
- Legal 500 2026