Joanne Jenkins

LL.B. (Hons) East Anglia, Call 2009

Principal Areas of Work

• Family Law
• Children (Public) Law
• Children (Private) Law
• Family Finance Law
• Court of Protection Law

Professional Reputation

Joanne is the Head of the Family Team at Wilberforce Barristers.

Joanne has practised at Wilberforce Barristers since the successful completion of her pupillage with Simon Hirst (now His Honour Judge Hirst) in 2010.

Joanne is recognised in the 2020 Legal 500: ‘Joanne is a very thorough and tenacious advocate who is always meticulously prepared. She is very experienced in both Public Law and Private Law Children matters. She will fight her clients corner regardless of whether she represents the Local Authority, Parents or Children.’

Joanne is featured as a Leading Junior in the 2024 edition of the Legal 500:

 ‘A junior with the ear of the court. A robust advocate who goes the extra mile for her clients, is extremely well-prepared and unflappable.’

Family Law

Joanne appears in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court and High Court instructed in both Public and Private Law proceedings. She represents the interests of parents, grandparents and the local authority to conduct contested interim and final hearings, as well as finding of fact hearings, and domestic violence and committal proceedings. Joanne has great experience in dealing with complex residence cases and cases involving relocation. In the field of public law, Joanne regularly represents parties in complex care proceedings involving serious injuries and sexual and emotional abuse. Joanne has a particular interest in the presentation and investigation of expert medical evidence, and proceedings where conflicting medical evidence is a live issue.

Notable Cases:

• KUHCC v T (2010 – 2012) This was a landmark case concerning the liability of a local authority to pay the costs of a party to care proceedings. Joanne appeared at one hearing on behalf of the respondent grandparents at the Supreme Court (reported as T (Children) [2012] UKSC 36).
• KUHCC v S (2013 – 2014) Representation of a father during care proceedings in which the local authority removed the children from the care of the grandparents without reference back to the court. An application for judicial review followed (reported as R (on the application of H) v Kingston Upon Hull City Council, KS, AS, SS, & FS [2013] EWHC 388 (Admin), [2014] 1 FLR 1094).
• K v K (2014) Joanne represented a father in private law proceedings. He had been convicted of murder and was seeking indirect contact with his daughter. The father accepted that there were safeguarding concerns, however he submitted that he had made many positive changes in custody, and that it would be in his daughters best interests for her to have a relationship with him.
• DNBC v S (2017) Joanne was led by Queens Counsel and represented a grandparent in care proceedings. Complex issues arose because of disclosure that was being sought by the local authority from outside the jurisdiction, and such disclosure directly impacted upon the grandparents and their case.

Matrimonial Finance

Joanne can provide advice in writing or in conference, and representation at all levels of court across this jurisdiction, in respect of family finance cases. Her work ranges from high net worth financial relief cases, to proceedings involving more modest assets. Joanne has experience in dealing with cases involving high-value assets and complex business structures, as well as assets outside the jurisdiction. Joanne has the ability to provide a detailed analysis of the financial position of the parties, and then to advise regarding the redistribution and division of assets. In addition, Joanne can represent the interests of parties seeking to obtain emergency remedies such as freezing orders, search orders and also the enforcement of claims. Joanne has a particular interest in pre-nuptial agreements, and the developments in case law and legislation regarding the same.

Notable Cases:

• B v B (2014) Representation of the respondent in family financial proceedings involving high-value assets. This case involved significant legal arguments regarding an application for maintenance pending suit by the applicant pending the final hearing.
• F v F (2016) Representation of the applicant in a case where the respondent asserted that a pre-nuptial agreement had been made between the parties regarding the former matrimonial home. Joanne successfully argued at final hearing that no such agreement had been entered into by the applicant.
• G v F (2016) Advice provided to the respondent both in writing and in conference, regarding a draft pre-nuptial agreement. The inheritance from the applicant’s mother was the key motivating factor for this proposed agreement. Joanne considered the agreement in the context of both the Law Commission Proposals and the case law.
• A v A (2016) Joanne represented the respondent in proceedings involving a complex business structure. The applicant made allegations of conduct, including that the respondent had been financially irresponsible and the same were denied.

Qualifications & Appointments

• LLB Law (Honours) East Anglia with Scholarship to study Law in America (2004 to 2008)
• Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (2006 to 2007)
• Bar Vocational Course, BPP Leeds – Very Competent (2008 to 2009)

Professional Memberships

• Middle Temple
• North Eastern Circuit and Circuit Junior
• Family Law Bar Association
• Women in Family Law Committee Member
• Advocacy Trainer North Eastern Circuit
• Mentoring schemes at Hull University
• Mentor for the National Bar Mock Trial Competition
• Hull Law Society Barrister Representative

Training & Seminars

Joanne has presented and contributed to a number of seminars and workshops, both for solicitors and members of chambers in Family and Court of Protection work. Joanne has also conducted training sessions for students at both secondary school and university level regarding a career in the law and at the bar.

Public Access Work

Joanne may accept Public Access Work where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Testimonials

 ‘Joanne (Jenkins) is a confident and tenacious advocate who is always thoroughly prepared. Her empathetic approach and drive to secure the very best outcome for her client sees her always go above and beyond the call of duty’ – Legal 500

‘Joanne Jenkins is a superb advocate with a firm grasp of the law. She has an excellent ability to explain difficult concepts to clients at all levels to ensure they feel listened to whilst providing realistic advice where necessary. I am continually impressed by Joanne’s dedication and commitment to securing the best possible outcome for her client, she always goes above and beyond the call of duty. Her tenacity, empathy and willingness to fight her client’s corner is second to none and makes her a “go to” barrister for complex cases.’