Year of Call: 2006

E-mail: jt@33cllaw.com

Joanna is a versatile practitioner who provides advice and advocacy services across the full range spectrum of criminal and quasi criminal litigation. With an equally strong interest in public law and human rights law Joanna appears in the High Court, Crown Court and Magistrates Court.

Criminal and Quasi-Criminal Litigation:-

Joanna has a broad practice, with substantial experience of acting in quasi-criminal matters, such as proceedings under POCA (inclusive of pre-existing legislation) and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act as well as licensing matters, regulatory prosecutions and prison adjudications.

Public Law/Human Rights:-

Joanna is well versed in human rights law and is currently instructed by the Treasury Solicitor in a number of politically sensitive judicial reviews arising out of detention of Iraqi nationals by UK forces in Iraq, the allegations concern the scope of Article 1 ECHR and breaches of articles 3 and 5.

In addition to the above, Joanna is regularly instructed in complex, document heavy cases and to give specific advice to Government Agencies on the disclosure of contentious categories of material such as sensitive documents, issues of public interest immunity, legal professional privilege and material held in other Government Departments. She is also particularly skilled at dealing with vulnerable defendants and witnesses, such as children and those with mental health problems.

Joanna is also an accredited mediator who was classed as ‘Outstanding’ on the Bar Vocational Course and awarded a Major Scholarship by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. She also received the Dickinson Dees Prize for the ‘Most Outstanding Student’ on the CPE Law Course and graduated with First Class Honours in Politics.

Notable Cases

R (O.AO. Sanaa Al-Jaf “Um Haider”) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs – On-going judicial review arising out of an allegation of an attempted rape at the British Embassy in Baghdad, the allegation concerns the scope of Article 1 ECHR and breaches of Articles 3 and 8.

R (O.AO. Kammash and others) v Secretary of State for Defence – On-going judicial review arising out of detention by UK forces in Iraq, the allegations concern the scope of Article 1 ECHR and breaches of articles 3 and 5. Instructed to advise on disclosure.

The Kingdom of God v The United Kingdom – Counsel for the ‘United Kingdom’ in an application to strike out the claim. Application successfully dealt with in the Chancery Division of the High Court. Also persuaded Mr Justice Smith to find that the claim was totally without merit and make a civil restraint order against the claimant.