Jane’s reputation as a highly effective advocate and shrewd tactician extends beyond Wales and throughout England. She has been ranked as a leading London silk in addition to her ranking for Wales. Jane’s wealth of experience of the most complex aspects of children cases ensures an extensive fund of knowledge and a calm and confident approach. Jane is recognised for her particular expertise in cases concerning complex medical evidence, such as:
- Non Accidental death/catastrophic injury to a child
- Non Accidental Head Injury (NAHI), formerly known as “Shaken Baby Syndrome”
- Genetic disorders, vitamin deficiencies and congenital malformations which can raise concerns of child abuse cases due to suspicious “injuries” which give the appearance of having been inflicted
- Allegations of “honour based killing” and forced marriage
- Suspected radicalisation cases
- Sexual abuse: inter and intra familial sexual abuse
- Child protection cases involving concurrent criminal prosecution for murder/ attempted murder/ child cruelty and neglect
- Fabricated Induced Illness (FII) allegations
- Significant harm arising from parenting difficulties experienced by parents with learning/ mental health or other forms of disability
- Cases involving the representation/cross examination of a child or vulnerable adult and working to the Recommendations of the Report of the Vulnerable Witness and Children Working Group, the Advocates’ Gateway and the use of Court Appointed Intermediaries
Children (Public and Private law)
Jane’s public law children practice includes cases involving complex physical injuries, including :
- “baby shaking”
- factitious illness
- sexual abuse and incest
- cases involving the death of children where both causation and likely perpetrator are in issue
Jane has a particular interest in cases involving the unexplained death of a child and is known for the ease with which she disentangles complicated medical issues. She was involved in some of the early cases in which the legitimacy of statistical evidence to be applied to SIDS was challenged.
She has experience in “honour based” killing/violence and forced marriage and has recently been involved in a lengthy case in which her client was also represented by a Special Advocate because of non disclosure of sensitive material.
She is recognised as having considerable skill in representing learning disabled or otherwise vulnerable parents and parents with mental health difficulties. She has appeared in the only family cases to date in which evidence has been given through intermediaries.
Her private law children work includes relocation, an area in which she has a particular interest.
Jane represented Rhondda Cynon Taf in the Clwych Enquiry convened by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales and subsequently undertook advisory work for the Commissioner.
Reported Cases
Re E (Withdrawal of Care Proceedings) 2013 EWHC 2400: necessity for a robust analysis of the evidential basis of an application and guidelines for Emergency Removals and s 20 agreements.
In the matter of A (A Child) [2012] UKSC 60
C (a child) [2007] EWCA Civ. 2: Court of appeal ruling on pecuniary damages for loss of opportunity in care cases (local authority decision to abandon care plan and proceed directly to adoption);
R v Vale of Glamorgan C.C. ex parte J [2001] EWCA Civ 593: Education law (Transport to school/Bullying/Racial Harassment);
Scheeres v Scheeres (1999) 1 FLR 241, CA: Matrimonial finance (Property Transfer/Periodical Payments);
Re S (Minors) [1994] 1 FLR 623, CA: Inherent Jurisdiction (Abduction/Enforceability in England of Irish Courtresidence order);
Re Adoption Application (Non-Patrial: Breach of Procedures) [1993] 1 FLR 947, CA: (Adoption of Foreign Child – El Salvador);
Re V (a Minor) [1987] 2 FLR 89, CA: (Dispensing agreement in Adoption. Natural mother withdrawing consent);
Dipper v Dipper [1980] 1 FLR 286, CA: (Rights of parties over upbringing of children following one-parent residence order).
Appointments
- 1992 Assistant Recorder
- 1996 Recorder
- 1998 Silk
- 1999 Deputy High Court Judge (Family Division)
- 2000 Legal President Mental Health Review Tribunal
- Bencher of Gray’s Inn
Degrees and other qualifications
- LL.B Hons 1975 King’s College London
Professional associations
- Committee Member FLBA
- Association of Lawyers for Children
Legal directory recommendations
“While handling a broad range of family law matters, Jane Crowley QC is particularly praised for her experience with public law children cases and in all matters relating to child abuse.” Expertise: “She has an excellent manner with clients, especially when handling difficult cases.”
“Jane Crowley QC is highly experienced in both public and private law children work, and offers particular expertise in proceedings where there has been an unexplained death. She also handles cases involving honour-based violence and is skilled at representing vulnerable parents. Sources identify the “excellent manner” in which she works with clients.” – Chambers UK 2013
“Jane Crowley QC can draw on her criminal law expertise in the most complex childcare cases. Her work often involves serious non-accidental injury issues“. – Chambers UK 2012
“Jane Crowley is particularly applauded for her public children work“. – Chambers UK 2011
“Jane Crowley QC and Jonathan Furness QC both have a reputation for handling care cases involving violence” – Legal 500 2011
“Jane Crowley QC is considered ‘brilliant to have on a case’ because she is ‘hard working and personable’“. – Chambers UK 2009
“Jane Crowley QC combines expertise in child care proceedings with work in several other areas that significantly overlap; education, mental health and criminal law” – Chambers UK 2008
“Jane Crowley is a formidable children law practitioner” – Legal 500 2007
“Jane Crowley QC is well known for her children practice and solicitors speak of her as being “charming and approachable’”. – Chambers UK 2007
