Jane Curnin

jane curnin.
Year of call:

2016 (Solicitor 1988)

Education:

1983 - Lancaster University (Edge Hill College of Education), BA(Hons) Applied Social Science & English (2:2)

1985 - Trent Polytechnic, Common Professional Examination (Distinction)

1986 - Trent Polytechnic, Law Society Final Examinations (Pass)

2006 - Recognised as Solicitor Advocate (Civil)

Career:

1986 - Articled Clerk at Wakefield MDC

1988 - Qualified as a Solicitor; Employed at Wakefield MDC

1995 - Joined Brearleys Solicitors

2000 - Founding Partner at JWP Solicitors

2016 - Tenant at Park Square Barristers

2018-2022 - Deputy Head of the Family Team

Memberships:

1995 - Law Society Children Panel

Ranked in Chambers and Partners (2024) and The Legal 500 (2024) for Family and Children Law.

“Jane has significant experience in care proceedings. She is highly regarded for her knowledge and her abilities within the courts.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)

“A standout junior who is thorough, prepared and empathetic.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)

She is pleasant to deal with and clients love her.” – Chambers and Partners (2024)

“Jane is indomitable in fighting her client’s corner.” – The Legal 500 (2024)

Jane is a formidable advocate; a highly intelligent and experienced family law barrister who understands people and can see the big picture. She is respected by judges, barristers and solicitors, and trusted by clients.” – The Legal 500 (2023)

“Her knowledge of care proceedings is extremely thorough. She is very approachable, with an analytical eye.” – The Legal 500 (2022)

“Ms Curnin is, without doubt, one of the best junior counsel on circuit – although she has not been called that long her previous life as a solicitor in this area of law really makes her stand out. Ms Curnin is easy to work with, she is extremely approachable and helpful. Further, she is a formidable and very capable advocate who is always very well prepared and will go the extra mile for the client.” – The Legal 500 (2021)

Jane Curnin has specialised in children’s cases for over 30 years.

Her career began as a Solicitor at Wakefield MDC where she represented the Local Authority in all levels of Court, before moving to private practice where she quickly developed a niche representing children, parents, grandparents and other relatives, as well as Local Authorities and interveners in care proceedings.

Jane has a full understanding of the implications of court proceedings for those she represents whether they be children, relatives or professionals in the case. Her wide ranging experience includes the representation of young teenage mothers and fathers, disabled children and their parents, victims of serious domestic violence as well as perpetrators, adults with mental health problems and those with drug and alcohol addiction.

Throughout her career she has undertaken complex medical cases including those involving physical injury (including shaken babies and child death), sexually transmitted disease found in children, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, non-regulated artificial insemination, factitious illness and chronic neglect. She also has experience in inter-jurisdictional and Hague Convention cases.

Her many years in practice as a solicitor enable her to fully understand the pressures solicitors face and what is important to them. Those instructing her will find that she can quickly develop a rapport with both professionals and the clients she represents – an essential support, particularly for vulnerable children and adults.

Keen to ensure that Solicitors are kept fully informed of developments in a case, Jane will always ensure timely follow up post-hearing. Jane welcomes active discussion of cases with Solicitors, and is always ready to make herself available by phone.

She is seen as the ‘go to’ person in this area of law, and is a highly regarded advocate.

Jane enjoys an early morning walk with dog, Lottie, spending time with her family, and Strictly Come Dancing.

 Notable Cases

  • 2018 – Re W representing the children as leading Junior in Finding of Fact hearing involving life threatening and life changing injuries to a baby aged approximately 5 months at the time of presentation at hospital. Following contested hearing the perpetrator was identified and children to return to mother
  • 2017 – Re P Representing a Mother in care proceedings identifying complicating evidential issues arising from medical evidence and allegations of sexual abuse by a minor; successfully obtain legal aid to instruct Leader and acted as Junior in the final hearing. Findings of sexual abuse not made and children to return to mother’s care
  • 2016 – Re M representing a Father without hearing and without speech in care proceedings. Father required the assistance of a Deaf Intermediary and deaf Relay interpreter in addition to BSL interpreter. Father also had a learning difficulty but competent to give instructions. Having met the challenges of communication Father gave his evidence to the Court
  • 2014 – Re K – representing the Father in care proceedings where Mother’s death was basis for threshold finding; successfully secured the return of the children following fully contested hearing
  • 2010 – Re K (A Child) EWCA 478 – Complex Private Law case representing an Iranian Child; Successful appeal against decision to refuse contact to natural father.

Contact Jane’s clerks

Claudine Cooper on 0113 202 8604

Paul Foster on 0113 213 5209

Arnela Siranovic on 0113 213 5212

Legal 500 Leading individual 2019