Jennifer is a barrister specialising in all areas of family law and has appeared at all levels up to, and including, the High Court.
Jennifer is a determined and passionate advocate, who works diligently to achieve the best possible result for her clients. Jennifer is adept at building an immediate and strong rapport with those she represents, reflecting her compassionate and empathetic approach. Jennifer is able to quickly and meticulously grasp key issues within a case and formulate a clear strategy to achieve the optimum outcome.
Outside of court, Jennifer is an active member of the legal community and sits on a number of professional committees. Jennifer is also a Trustee and Board Member of Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service and has delivered several workshops for the Schools Consent Project on issues surrounding sexual consent.
Private Law Children Proceedings
Jennifer has amassed wide experience of representing parties in private law matters. Jennifer frequently represents parties in applications for contact and residence, Specific Issue Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and enforcement, at all stages of proceedings. Jennifer has represented parties in multi-day fact-finding hearings and final hearings, entailing the cross-examination of several witnesses, where the allegations have included serious domestic violence, sexual abuse, physical chastisement, substance misuse and parental alienation. Jennifer also regularly acts on behalf of Rule 16.4 Children’s Guardians in cases where there are significantly complex issues and allegations, including Female Genital Mutilation, covert recording of children and parents, parental alienation and sexual abuse of both children and parents.
Public Law Children Proceedings
Jennifer has significant experience in public law proceedings and is regularly instructed to represent parents, Children’s Guardians, children who are separately represented, extended family members and Local Authorities at all stages of proceedings. Jennifer is often instructed to represent vulnerable parties with complex mental health issues and learning difficulties. Jennifer’s caseload to date has involved allegations of chronically neglectful parenting, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, substance misuse and non-accidental injuries.
Family Law Act Proceedings
Jennifer regularly receives instructions in serious Family Law Act applications, including Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders. Jennifer always ensures that participation directions are sought, where relevant, to protect vulnerable clients throughout the proceedings, and that particular care is given to ensuring the client feels safe within the proceedings. Jennifer has also successfully represented several respondents to such applications.
Financial Remedy Proceedings
Jennifer receives regular instructions in all aspects of financial remedy proceedings, including applications for maintenance pending suit and applications pursuant to TOLATA 1996. Jennifer has represented spouses at all stages of proceedings, from preliminary hearings through to final hearings.
Professional Background
Prior to commencing her practice, Jennifer undertook an array of legal work experience; this included employment as a Paralegal in private practice and at a Local Authority, in addition to working as a County Court Advocate in the Civil Courts. In 2016, Jennifer was awarded the Anglo-American Exchange Scholarship from Middle Temple to work as an intern in Iowa, USA, along-side senior Counsel, during which time she assisted with mediations, client conferences and prison visits.
In September 2018, Jennifer won the Middle Temple Amity Moot in Hong Kong along with her mooting partner, Queen’s Counsel, whom she was led by.
Appointments
Committee Member of the Middle Temple Hall Committee
Treasurer of the Middle Temple Midland Circuit Society
Committee Member of the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum
Board Member and Trustee of Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (formerly Northampton Women’s Aid)
Awards
Anglo-American Exchange Scholarship – Middle Temple
Lord Diplock Scholarship – Middle Temple (Major Scholarship)
Blackstone Entrance Exhibition Award – Middle Temple
BPTC Award – University of Law
BP Ambition Award – University of Nottingham
First in the Family Scholarship – University of Nottingham
Memberships
Middle Temple
Midland Circuit
Qualifications
BA Honours Philosophy (2:1)
Graduate Diploma in Law (Commendation)
Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent)
