AREAS OF PRACTICE
Family Law:
Children – Public
Children – Private
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Law, University of Hull, 2004 (First Class)
LPC, University of Law, York, 2012 (Distinction)
BPTC, Northumbria University, 2015 (Outstanding)
Prizes:
Certificate of Honour, Northumbria University, 2015
JJ Powell Prize, Northumbria University, 2015
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS
Middle Temple
North Eastern Circuit
Family Law Bar Association
Women in Family Law
CPS Grade 2 Prosecutor
Registered Pupil Supervisor 2022
Contributor to the Family Law Journal 2020-present
Bar Pro-Bono Unit – active member
ABOUT JOANNA
Joanna is an experienced Family Law Practitioner recognised in the Legal 500 as a ‘Leading Junior: Child Law (Public and Private), 2022’.
Joanna is instructed in cases across a broad spectrum of family law and has a strong and busy practice in private and public law cases involving children. Joanna appears in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Court of Protection.
Joanna acts in matters under the Child Arrangements Programme, involving contact and residence disputes. She accepts instructions in matters of specific issues and prohibited steps, including disputes relating to internal relocation, medical intervention and education.
Joanna has significant experience with representing clients in Finding of Fact Hearings where there have been significant allegations, including sexual abuse, domestic abuse, neglect, alcohol and drug misuse and non-accidental injury.
Joanna accepts instructions from all parties involved in public law proceedings relating to children, including local authorities, parents, grandparents, intervenors, vulnerable adults through the Official Solicitor and children through their Children’s Guardians.
She has experience in matters of forced marriage, non-accidental injury, neglect, substance misuse, domestic and sexual abuse and mental health.
Joanna accepts instructions in relation to emergency hearings, contested interim removal hearings, Finding of Fact Hearings, contested final hearings and adoption including leave to oppose.
Joanna has significant experience conducting her own lengthy hearings, leading Junior Counsel and of being led by King’s Counsel on numerous occasions. Most notably, Joanna has been led by King’s Counsel in matters involving allegations of significant sexual abuse and of multiple and life-altering injuries to children.
Joanna regularly accepts instructions on short notice and represents clients from the first hearing through to conclusion. She is well known for her ability to communicate effectively with all clients, her ‘can-do’ attitude and for always going above and beyond for those she represents.
Legal 500 2022
Joanna Hawkett – Crown Chambers ‘Joanna is excellent with clients – she has a superb bedside manner. A junior who will go the extra mile to accommodate clients. She is able to find the needle in a large haystack of disclosure.’
Client feedback 2023: “Written advice is exceptional; clear, concise and focussed. Excellent bedside manner with the client department and wouldn’t hesitate to instruct again.”