Jessica read Law at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne (LLB, First Class Honours). She completed the Bar Vocational Course at Manchester Metropolitan University (Very Competent). Jessica was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in 2010. She completed her pupillage at St Johns Buildings in September 2012 under the supervision of Penelope Stanistreet-Keen and Rachael Harrison.
Jessica is a family law specialist in the area of public law (Children).
Jessica previously also practised in the area of criminal law and was appointed a Grade 3 Prosecutor by the Crown Prosecution Service. Jessica has experience of being led in cases involving offences of murder and very serious sexual offending in respect of young child complainants, who were required to give oral evidence at trial with the assistance of intermediaries. Jessica’s experience of criminal law cases and police investigations is an asset to her family practice.
Children - Public Law
Jessica regularly represents local authorities, parents, wider family members and children at all stages of care proceedings. Jessica has been instructed in cases involving serious allegations of physical abuse (including non-accidental injuries, shaking injuries and fatal injuries), sexual abuse, emotional abuse and chronic neglect.
Cases
Re H and Others (Children) (Fact-Finding: Rib Fractures) [2021] EWHC 2041 (Fam): Jessica was led by Frances Heaton KC on behalf of the local authority in a lengthy finding of fact hearing before Mr Justice Poole. The case involved multiple rib fractures to a child who had several underlying health issues including an extremely rare medical condition. The case had a complicated factual matrix and involved complex medical evidence.
A Local Authority v R (2020): Jessica represented the local authority in a case involving shaking injuries to a baby. The Court made the findings sought.
A Local Authority v S (2020): Jessica represented the local authority at a 5-day final hearing in care proceedings involving allegations of physical abuse, emotional abuse and chronic neglect. Each parent was a vulnerable party and assisted by an intermediary. Jessica prepared detailed cross-examination questions submitted in advance of the hearing. The Court made the threshold findings and final Orders as sought.
A Local Authority v B (2019): Jessica represented an adult sibling seeking to care for a subject child. The local authority sought Care and Placement Orders. The local authority was supported in its recommendation by an independent social worker. At the conclusion of a fully contested final hearing, the Judge declined to make a Placement Order and directed the placement of the child in the adult sibling’s care, subject to further assessment.
A Local Authority v H (2018): Jessica represented a mother in care proceedings where the local authority sought Care and Placement Orders. Having heard the evidence, the Judge concluded the child should be rehabilitated to the mother’s care and made a Supervision Order.
A Local Authority v M (2018): Jessica represented the children (by their guardian) at a 5-day final hearing. The local authority sought Care and Placement Orders. The guardian argued the case involved cultural considerations which had not been properly analysed by the local authority and as such there were gaps in the local authority’s final evidence. Upon hearing the evidence, the Court agreed with the guardian’s view.
Memberships
- Family Law Bar Association
- North Eastern Circuit
Education
- Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training
