Janet started her working life in the areas of adult literacy and community work in Burnley then Sheffield, Bradford and Manchester. She retrained and qualified as a solicitor in 1995 working at a legal aid firm in Moss Side where she became a partner. There she was a member of the Law Society's Mental Health Panel and remained a duty solicitor (court and police station) after joining the family and mental health teams. She also worked with various community groups providing support and advice.
Janet was involved in several community based anti-deportation campaigns and the Bolton 7 Campaign when she represented clients facing criminal charges in Bolton Crown Court in relation to gross indecency and age of consent issues. This landmark case went to the European Court of Human Rights where the appellants eventually received compensation; the laws relating to criminal offences in the field were amended shortly thereafter.
Janet also represented one of the Guantanamo Bay detainees upon his return to the UK for further questioning.
Her time at Kenworthy's has primarily evolved around family work, but Janet also represents people detained under the Mental Health Act at Tribunal hearings and has undertaken work in the Court of Protection.
Janet takes a particular interest in family cases with an immigration/ asylum or mental health element or involving domestic violence.
Throughout her legal career, Janet has obtained a wealth of experience in relation to the legal aid field and wider community issues giving her a valuable insight to the difficult matters that arise all too frequently in the family courts.
Training
Janet, with other family team members, regularly provides CPD Training provision through chambers in children and family matters.
Family and Finance
Janet's practice incorporates the full range of family law work, including domestic violence and public law children work.
Janet has a particular interest in working with parents during Care Proceedings, working with clients suffering mental health problems and private law work. She is developing work in family cases that have asylum and immigration aspects.
Janet has particular experience in the following areas:
- Representing parents and other family members in residence and contact disputes (Child Arrangement Orders) and emergency orders such as prohibited steps
- Non-Molestation Applications (both for the applicant and respondent)
- Special Guardianship Orders (including advice on Judicial Review and SGO payments)
- Representing parents and older children in care proceedings
- Domestic Violence and Abuse
- Forced Marriage Applications
- Human Rights issues involving European Provisions in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court, and the High Court
Court of Protection
As a solicitor Janet represented people detained under the Mental Health Act and was on the Mental Health Panel for about 10 years. In that time she represented hundreds of people detained in local hospitals and in secure hospitals including Ashworth and Alpha (where she has on many occasions worked with deaf clients).
She also represented nearest relatives applying for discharge or opposing displacement applications in the County Court and at Tribunal and Hospital Managers hearings.
Since transferring to the Bar and joining Kenworthy's Janet has continued to represent clients detained under the Mental Health Act, and provides advice in relation to associated matters. Janet keeps up to date with the latest developments in this area retaining a keen interest in this work and has recently started attending the local Mental Health Lawyers Group.
Janet has a growing interest in community care, and has experience of dealing with cases involving care planning for young people with enduring care needs and mental capacity problems. She has also undertaken work in the Court of Protection, most recently seeking the return of a family member for a client from long term care.
Public Access
Janet accepts Family Law instructions on a Direct Access basis for appropriate cases. Please refer to the below pricing range for their services; this is subject to case type, complexity and seniority or experience of the barrister. Accurate quotes will be provided prior to commencement of the work involved.
Conferences: £250 - £650 + VAT
Directions/Review Hearings, FHDRA's & DRA's: £500 - £1000 + VAT
FDA Hearings: £500 - £1000 + VAT
FDR Hearings: £1000 - £2000 + VAT
Full day hearings: £1000 - £3000 + VAT
Refreshers: £750 - £1500 + VAT
Half day hearings: £750 - £1500 + VAT
Advice & Preparation (Hourly): £150 - £250 + VAT
*These price ranges are based on local courts; other courts will incur a travel charge.
Please contact our Senior Family Clerk, Courtney (Courtney@kenworthys.co.uk), for more information.*
