Practice Areas
Direct Access
Awards
“Joanne Porter is always organised. She is a very effective, down to earth and careful individual.”
“Joanne is a really strong, measured person.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
Experience
Year of Call: 2010
Qualifications
Admitted as a Solicitor 2000,
Children Panel Local Authority member 2006,
Children Panel member 2008
Admitted to the Bar 2010
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Child Care Law and Practice
LLB Law (2:1) University of Kent at Canterbury
Profile
A barrister specialising in children matters, Joanne has established a busy practice with significant experience in the representation of Local Authorities, children, parents, grandparents and extended family. Qualifying as a solicitor in 2000, Joanne then transferred to the Bar in 2010.
Having experience working as a solicitor for the local authority and in private practice prior to her transfer to the Bar, Joanne has an unusually broad experience in her field, which is reflected in a dynamic and well considered approach to her practice.
Joanne has a strong reputation for dealing with complex and multifaceted cases in areas such as non-accidental injury, historical sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, substance misuse, domestic violence and working with parents with learning difficulties.
Joanne specialises in cases involving complex medical evidence dealing with suspected cases of inflicted injury, on occasion resulting in the death of a child, as well as cases of perplexing medical presentations. Joanne has also had significant involvement with cases concerning historic sexual abuse representing the local authority, alleged perpetrators and children.
Joanne is the co-author of Child Protection Proceedings: Care and Adoption Orders, a practice guide to care proceedings published by LexisNexis, now in its second edition. She also provides updates for Rayden & Jackson for LexisNexis and regularly provides training and speaks at conferences.
Professional Memberships
Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC)
Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)
Kent Family Justice Board
Directories
“Joanne Porter is always organised. She is a very effective, down to earth and careful individual.”
“Joanne is a really strong, measured person.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
“She takes a very measured approach.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
A former solicitor with experience in private and public law matters who is especially knowledgeable when it comes to public cases concerning adoption and care proceedings. She is praised for her understanding of international issues, particularly in relation to Eastern European families.
Strengths: “A natural advocate who works well with vulnerable clients.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
A former solicitor with experience in private and public law matters who is especially knowledgeable when it comes to public cases concerning adoption and care proceedings. She is praised for her understanding of international issues, particularly in relation to Eastern European families.
Strengths: “Sympathetic, professional and knowledgeable. She works well with vulnerable clients and has expertise in Eastern European care cases.”
Chambers & Partners 2017
‘A skilled barrister especially in her cross-examination’.
Legal 500, 2016 Tier 1
Junior with noteworthy experience in private and public law children matters. She has significant focus on non-accidental injury, and sexual and physical abuse. She is particularly noted for her work with migrant families from Eastern Europe.
Strengths: “Her particular forte is the international element. She is great on Eastern European cases.” “She stands out in care work; she knows the law very well.”
Chambers & Partners 2016
‘Her cases are presented with clear knowledge of the issues’.
Legal 500, 2015
Has impressive experience in cases concerning Eastern European families, and expertise in a range of matters including those involving non-accidental injury, sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Strengths: ‘Joanne is a good advocate, particularly for people who are vulnerable. She really does fight on their behalf, but she does so with care’. ‘She’s gentle and doesn’t tent to be unnecessarily aggressive. She chooses the right questions and picks her battles’.
Chambers & Partners, 2015
‘Good with vulnerable individuals, including domestic abuse victims and young mothers’
Legal 500, 2014