Arbitration is the cost-effective binding solution to court waiting lists and the team at 9 can help.
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Overview
Joanne Barnett is consistently recognised as a Tier 1 barrister by The Legal 500, owing to her extensive expertise in all areas of Family Law. Joanne is also an Arbitrator under the Institute for Family Arbitrator’s (IFLA) scheme, able to undertake both Children and Financial Arbitrations, and Private Financial Dispute Resolutions (FDRs).
Having practised in London, the Wales and Chester Circuit, and the Northern Circuit, Joanne is nationally regarded and frequently travels across the country for work. She receives numerous referrals from clients and solicitors alike, testament to her dedication and the respect she commands within the legal community.
Her exceptional ability to swiftly digest and analyse complex information, combined with her calm, organised approach, makes her a trusted advocate for both solicitors and clients. Joanne also maintains a thriving direct access practice, with instructions coming from top-tier firms in London, Cardiff, Manchester, and directly from clients.
Known for her meticulous preparation and empathetic client care, Joanne goes beyond legal representation to actively support her clients throughout the court process, both in and out of the courtroom. Her practical and sensible approach to case strategy ensures a well-rounded service, something particularly important when representing vulnerable individuals, including those who are neurodivergent, have learning disabilities, or suffer from psychological disorders. She is also trained under the Family Law Bar Association’s (FLBA) Vulnerable Witness Programme. Her accessibility and commitment to client care are key factors in her successful case outcomes.
Joanne is readily available for initial consultations and discussions on any potential or ongoing case, ensuring that clients feel supported from the very start.
Joanne is also undertaking research into:
a) Impact of neurodiversity in management of court proceedings and the lack of training,
b) Impact on a party where there are no findings made and little or no understanding of impact on the complainant within the court process,
c) Limitations by the court on enforcement in financial proceedings and what can be done to make enforcement more effective,
d) Costs in family proceedings and the limitations, what can we do to change the approach,
e) Mental Health and Menopause within the judicial work place.
Private Law Children
Joanne is an IFLA Children Scheme Arbitrator.
She is engaged in significant and complex findings of fact cases involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse with both adult and child complainants, coercive control and parental alienation. Joanne deals with the removal/relocation of children either internally within the UK or from the jurisdiction of England and Wales, either opposing a relocation or succeeding in enabling the party to relocate to other areas (Japan, Poland, Dubai and UAE, USA, Norway, New Zealand, France). She specialises in pre-hearing advice on any potential planned move/or defence against an application to relocate.
Joanne is highly experienced in cases where an interpreter is required. Whether that be with a client or witness or is deaf or has a language barrier. The majority of her cases include representing multicultural and minoritised ethnic clients.
Private Financial
Joanne is qualified under the Financial Scheme as a Financial Arbitrator
She has undertaken cases with:
- hidden assets
- assets held out of the jurisdiction,
- insolvency
- inheritance
- intervenors
- add-back arguments
- company assets with values in the 10’s of millions
- financial conduct is being raised
- Pre-existing agreements and it’s impact within proceedings
- Applications to vary or oppose periodic payments after the final order was made.
- Enforcement whether through non-compliance or post final hearing.
Joanne’s arbitration work can be undertaken as a paper exercise with no need for a hearing.
Arbitration
As per the ever growing need for ADR – Joanne offers representation of parties at an arbitration under the IFLA Children Arbitration and Financial Schemes. She undertakes both Private Children and Financial Arbitration. In some case both issues can be heard at the same hearing providing a holistic and cost saving approach to a family breakdown.
Joanne is also a private FDR judge, working either in person or remotely by video-link, as required.
Joanne has a particular skill in using shuttle negotiation and round-table meetings to reach a settlement without the expense of fully contested court proceedings.
Appointments
Legal Services Commission Review Panel Board (2000)
Children Private Law Arbitrator (2022)
Financial Arbitrator (2023)
Associations
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Family Law Bar Association
Resolution
Justice
Education
Law, University College of Wales Aberystwyth
Prescribed Information
Joanne Barnett is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Joanne Barnett can be found here.
Joanne Barnett’s clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Joanne Barnett to undertake Court and advisory work for a brief fee and refresher fee for each additional hearing day. For advisory work, conferences and/or additional paperwork, it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate where an estimate is given as a maximum amount to be charged, although if preferred fixed fees can be negotiated at the point of instruction. Joanne Barnett typically returns paperwork within 14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales. If that is the case you will be notified and a new timescale provided.
Joanne Barnett also undertakes Direct Access work. This work is undertaken on a contractual basis, as agreed between the client and Joanne Barnett’s clerks. This is on fixed fee basis for a specific events such as a conference, advisory work, a hearing with additional hearing days (refreshers) or the drafting of specific documents. All work agreed to be undertaken by Joanne Barnett with the fixed fee cost will be clearly outlined in the direct access contract signed by the client and will be payable in full prior to the commencement of the work.
