Joanne Phillipson is a Family Law Barrister with 12 years of experience in county court advocacy and over 3 years assisting in Crown Court cases. She handles both contentious and non-contentious family matters, specialising in serious child arrangements disputes, fact-finding hearings, and protective orders. Her advocacy skills, tenacity in court, and reputation for attention to detail make her a robust choice for complex family law cases.
Child Arrangement Orders (contact, residence, and shared care)
Fact-finding hearings, including cases involving controlling and coercive behaviour or sexual abuse
Representation of grandparents in care and contact disputes
Cross-examination of expert witnesses, social workers and other professionals
Non-molestation orders and occupation orders
Prohibited Steps Orders
Specific Issue Orders
Applications to change a child’s surname
Joanne’s early career included work as a Crown Court caseworker, where she conducted cases from start to finish and handled clients and witnesses with vulnerabilities through use of special measures and expert evidence. She also developed her advocacy and negotiation skills in county court work, often being called to undertake small claims trials and complex applications.
She gained recognition from the Bar Standards Board, being granted a substantial reduction in her pupillage requirement thanks to the experience she had already amassed. Joanne is known for her persuasive submissions, strong preparation and capacity to perform under pressure.
In her family practice, she focuses heavily on children law—particularly in cases involving serious allegations, relocation and post-findings contact disputes. She is also involved in protective order work such as non-molestation and occupation orders, and applications affecting a child’s surname.
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