Called 1985 
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Jo specializes in contentious and highly complex cases at High Court level and above involving:
• The death of/catastrophic injuries to a child
• Non-Accidental Head Injury (NAHI)/ Shaken baby allegations (TRIAD cases)
• Vitamin D/Rickets/EDS/ genetic disorders and congenital malformations which can mimic child abuse
• Fabricated Induced Illness (FII) allegations
• ISIS cases: alleged radicalisation of children/ risk of flight to Syria
• Sexual abuse (Intergenerational/ Inter sibling/ maternal rape/ genital mutilation/ internet exploitation)
• Ritualized child abuse/cultural practices such as Kndoki
• Child protection cases involving concurrent criminal prosecution attempted murder/ child cruelty and neglect/ sex offences
• Parent or subject child with disabilities (with a particular interest in Child in Need and the rights of, and services for, a disabled child and /or adult parent within care proceedings)
• Cases involving cross examination of a child or vulnerable adult
• Re-litigation/challenge to historic findings of abuse based on emerging science/ fresh factual evidence.
Complex private law proceedings involving allegations of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect (alcoholism/ psychiatric issues) involving transfer of residence applications and contact disputes are a natural corollary to her practice.
Alongside her practice in the Family Division, Jo Delahunty QC worked alongside Mike Mansfield QC and Barristers from Garden Court Chambers and Doughty Street to represent 77 families at the Hillsborough inquests. On 26.4.16 the longest running Inquest in English legal history came to an end and the jury found that the 96 victims of the disaster who died on 15.4.89 were unlawfully killed and that no fan behaviour caused or contributed to the deaths. Jo Delahunty QC was responsible for leading the team on behalf of 77 families that successfully exposed the failures of the South Yorkshire Ambulance Service to respond to the disaster and the jury found that those failings were so fundamental that they led to or caused loss of life.
Jo has been ranked as a ‘Top Ranked Silk’ by Chambers and Partners in successive editions including the most current.
She has been named a ‘Top Tier ‘Leading Silk by The Legal 500 in successive editions including the most current.
Jo has had numerous articles published in legal journals and has also gained acclaim for her seminars delivered to Barristers, Solicitors, social work and medical professionals and the public on family law matters and access to justice. Jo has spoken on joint platforms with speakers who are as passionate about child protection and fairness and equality issues as she is: notably the Association of Lawyers for Children, The Criminal Bar Association, the Academy of Experts, and most recently spoke at the launch of ‘Behind The Gown’.
Jo has been selected by her peers for inclusion in the Seventh Edition of The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for her work in Family Law.
Jo Delahunty is a Door Tenant at Parklane Plowden Chambers.
Jo has been shortlisted for 'Family Law QC of the Year' at the 2018 Family Law Awards.
Nominated at the 2018 Inspirational Women in Law Awards in the Champion of the Year category.
Appointed Emeritus Gresham Professor of Law in 2020.
Made a Fellow of Gresham College in July 2020.
Shortlisted for 'Family Law QC of the Year' at the 2020 LexisNexis Family Law Awards.
“She is fantastic on tactics and very impressive on the law."
Chambers & Partners 2019Simply click 'Add +' on an area of expertise to add it to collate in your downloadable brochure.
Jo specialises in cases involving:
Complex private law proceedings involving allegations of physical and emotional abuse and neglect (alcoholism/ psychiatric issues) involving transfer of residence applications are a natural corollary to her practice.
Jo also deals with adoption matters.
Jo commands a high professional reputation for:
Jo has had numerous articles published in legal journals; most recently on issues arising from one case in 2012 which attracted nationwide publicity in The broadsheets , TV and radio as well as the tabloid press : Al Alas/ Wray (The Rickets / Vit D case)
Jo has also gained acclaim for her seminars delivered, by invitation, to Barristers and Solicitors and medical professionals in family law matters. Her session for Jordan’s at their annual Public Law conference in 2012 was described as ‘excellent’ spell-binding’ ‘ brilliant’ by audience members following in the tracks of that set in her Butterworth’s speech that preceded it ‘fascinating’ ‘most inspiring and challenging’ . Jo has spoken on joint platforms with fellow originations and speakers who are as passionate about child protection issues as she is, notably: the Association of Lawyers for Children, The Criminal Bar Association and the Academy of Experts.
Chambers & Partners 2021
Band 1
"Jo Delahunty is a legend. She is immensely knowledgeable and very able when it comes to complex child injury cases." "A master strategist who gains the trust of clients, she knows exactly what to get out of witnesses."
Legal 500 2021
‘Is as captivating on her feet as she is persuasive in negotiation. She is extraordinarily tenacious, kind and brave at work, and looks for all-encompassing and human solutions for children taking properly into account the wider implications in each family’s dynamic.’ Ranked: Tier 1
'Prof Jo Delahunty QC, who has been described as a 'trailblazer, a passionate advocate for the publicly-funded Bar'; she acted for six children through three guardians in four different cases involving allegations of extreme violent individual and group sexual abuse (AA & 25 Ors (Children) [2019] EWFC 64).'
Chambers & Partners 2020
Band 1
Highly sought-after specialist children silk entrusted with the most significant and demanding national cases. She regularly handles matters concerning the most serious injuries and fatalities resulting from sexual assault, radicalisation and abuse. She is particularly experienced in cases involving non-accidental injury to children.
Strengths: "A phenomenal cross-examiner, who gets unbelievable results." "She has an extraordinary grasp of medical evidence."
"Is extremely well respected by judges and is a real force to be reckoned with."
"...dominates every case she is in."
Legal 500, 2020
Leading Silk
“She is fantastic on tactics and very impressive on the law."
"She has excellent analytical skills and a great grasp of complex medical evidence. Her advocacy is robust, and she's amazing to watch.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
Highly sought-after specialist children silk entrusted with the most significant and demanding national cases. She regularly handles matters concerning the most serious injuries and fatalities resulting from sexual assault, radicalism and abuse. She has particular expertise in matters concerning a large amount of complex expert evidence following investigation.
Strengths: “Expert in children work, she is brilliant at distilling a case down to its key issues and is great
at strategic planning. Very supportive to instructing solicitors, she’s easy to talk to.”
Chamber & Partners 2018
Band 1
‘She displays razor-sharp analysis and a clear sense of direction.’
Legal 500, 2017
Top Tier
Highly sought-after specialist children silk entrusted with the most significant and demanding national cases. She has particular expertise in matters concerning a large amount of complex expert evidence following investigation.
Strengths: “She is exceptional in every way and has an attention to detail beyond any other silk right now.”
Chambers & Partners 2017
“She is an absolute force of nature and a star in court.”
Legal 500, 2016
Top Tier
Specialises in serious cases where sexual and physical abuse are alleged. She is the only family law practitioner to be involved in the Hillsborough Inquest.
Strengths: “She is deservedly pre-eminent. She has a brilliant mind, and is one of the few who is as good a fearsome cross-examiner as she is arguing the law in the Supreme Court.” “She is very detailed in her approach and has an immaculate knowledge of the papers.”
Recent work: Has been acting on behalf of 75 families in the Hillsborough Inquest to try to determine whether the medical response was acceptable.
Chambers & Partners 2016
Band 1
A dedicated children lawyer who focuses on difficult public law matters and care proceedings concerning allegations of sexual and emotional abuse. Also handles cases involving the death of children.
Expertise: “A first port of call for care work,” “she is extremely hard-working, knowledgeable and very committed to the client that she represents. Jo is a very tactical and effective advocate, who is good to observe and learn from.”
Chambers & Partners 2015
Band 1
A formidable advocate, and fascinating to watch and learn from.
Legal 500 2015 Top Tier
A masterful tactician and a brilliantly passionate advocate.
Legal 500 2014 Top Tier
Specialises in children law. She has handled some complex and often controversial disputes involving child death, and ritualised and sexual abuse.
Expertise: “Superb. She has one of the sharpest brains I know, and is very forensic and tactical.”
“Exceptional. She works incredibly hard, is excellent at cross-examination and great at presenting a case at court.”
Recent work: Delahunty represented a teenage mother who was falsely accused of inflicting multiple fractures to a newborn baby, killing him by shaking/impact. The case involved cross-examining 40 medics and 16 experts.
Chambers & Partners 2014
Band 1
Jo Delahunty QC has ‘a phenomenal brain, and great forensic skill’.
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in the area of Children Law
Legal 500 2013 Top Tier
The “absolutely brilliant” Jo Delahunty QC is a children law expert who deals with cases involving issues such as catastrophic injury, sexual abuse and ritualized abuse. She is reputed to be particularly strong in cases with daunting medical aspects, with sources noting that “she dissects extremely complex medical concepts with ease.”
Chambers & Partners 2013
Band 1
Jo Delahunty QC, who has ‘a sharp forensic eye and an extraordinary memory’, recently acted in the high-profile cases of Re E (Children) and LB of Islington v Al Alas and Wray.
The Legal 500, 2012
The “absolutely superb” Jo Delahunty QC is another at the set to handle the most complex children cases, often involving sexual assault and complex medical issues. She has in the last twelve months handled a number of non-accidental injury matters.
Chambers and Partners 2012
Jo Delahunty QC is much admired for public children work. “Her conversational style of advocacy puts witnesses at their ease, yet conceals a rapier-like incisiveness.”
Chambers and Partners 2011
Jo Delahunty QC has ‘a razor-sharp mind with a phenomenal work-rate’
Recommended as a Leading Silk in children’s law in Legal 500 2011
Jo Delahunty QC is “young, dynamic and making waves in every case she gets involved in.”
Recommended as a Leading Silk in Chambers and Partners 2010
The set was recently bolstered by the arrival of Jo Delahunty QC. Delahunty has particular prowess advising on complex care cases, particularly where there are allegations of abuse.
Recommended as a leading Silk in The Legal 500 2010
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in the Legal Experts 2010
Jo Delahunty QC applies a “relaxed, straightforward and no-nonsense” attitude to her work and can often be seen acting in complex care proceedings.
Recommended as a Leading Silk in Chambers and Partners 2009
Jo Delahunty QC has expertise in complex care proceedings including the death of, or catastrophic injuries to children.
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in The Legal 500 2009
Recommended as a Leading Family Silk in the Legal Experts 2009
Jo Delahunty QC most frequently represents parents in public law care proceedings. She also acted for alleged perpetrators in sex abuse cases who were themselves minors, thus subject to the Children’s Act.
“I find her a challenging opponent and admire her very much for it,” commented one opposing counsel.
Recommended as a Leading Silk in Chambers and Partners 2008
Jo Delahunty QC has particular expertise in care proceedings and child protection issues. Peers note that she is an “exceptionally well-prepared lawyer who is ready on paper to destroy your case.” In court, she “fights hard, yet always maintains her focus on the child.”
Recommended as a Leading Silk in Chambers and Partners 2007.
11/04/2018 P (A Child), Re (2018) Kate Branigan QC, Jo Delahunty QC [2018] EWCA Civ 720
29/01/2016 C, D & E (Radicalisation: Fact-Finding) (2016) Jo Delahunty QC [2016] EWHC 3087 (Fam)
06/02/2013 Re A (A Child) (Costs) (2013) Jo Delahunty QC [2013] EWCA Civ 43
29/01/2013 Re A and B (Children) [2013] Jo Delahunty QC [2013] EWHC B22 (Fam)
16/11/2012 Re A (A Child) (2012) Jo Delahunty QC [2012] EWCA Civ 1477
16/11/2012 Re A (A Child) [2012] Jo Delahunty QC [2012] EWCA Civ 1477
19/04/2012 Islington London Borough Council v (1) Chana Al-Alas (2) Rohan Wray (3) Jayda Faith Al -Alas Wray (By Her Children’s Guardian Dorthy Pottinger) (2012) Jo Delahunty QC [2012] EWHC 865 (Fam); [2012] 2 FLR 1239 : (2012) 128 BMLR 1 : [2012] Fam Law 943
19/01/2012 Re M (A Child) (2012) Jo Delahunty QC, Joanne Brown [2012] EWCA Civ 165: [2012] 2 FLR 121 : [2012] Fam Law 511
14/12/2011 K (Children) [2012] Jo Delahunty QC [2012] 2 FLR 745; EWHC Case No. LS09C05566
11/11/2011 A London Borough v O and Others [2011] Alex Verdan QC, Jo Delahunty QC 2011 EWHC 2754 (Fam)
04/07/2011 A County Council (Applicant) v (1) K (2) C (3) T (By the Child’s Guardian (HT) (Respondents) & (1) CAFCASS (2) Anonymous Referrer (3) T (4) Nagacro (Interveners) (2011) Jo Delahunty QC [2011] EWHC 1672 (Fam)
18/05/2011 Kent County Council (Respondent) v (1) A Mother (2) F (3) X (A Minor) (4) Y (A Minor) (5) Z (A Minor) (6) IR (Applicants) (2011) Jo Delahunty QC [2011] EWHC 1267 (Fam): [2011] 2 FLR 1088 : [2011] Fam Law 933 : (2011) 108(26) LSG 18
03/03/2011 Kent County Council (Applicant) v (1) A Mother (2) F (3) X, Y, Z (Children) (Respondents) & IR (Intervener) (2011) Jo Delahunty QC [2011] EWHC 402 (Fam)
19/02/2010 Re (1) X (2) Y (3) Z (Care Proceedings: Costs) (2010) Jo Delahunty QC [2011] 1 FLR 1045 : [2010] Fam Law 800
08/05/2009 A Local Authority v S (2009) Jo Delahunty QC, Alison Grief QC, Rob Littlewood [2009] EWHC 2115 (Fam); (2010) 1 FLR 1560
24/06/2008 X Local Authority v N J & 6 Ors (2008) Jo Delahunty QC, Alistair G Perkins (2008) 2 FLR 1389; [2008] EWHC 1484 (Fam) 11/06/2008 Re B (Children) (2008) Jo Delahunty QC
Alison Grief QC [2008] UKHL 35; (2008) 3 WLR 1 : (2008) 4 All ER 1 : (2008) 2 FLR 141 : (2009) 1 AC 11 : Times, June 12, 2008
25/07/2006 (1) Haringey London Borough Council (2) Hackney London Borough Council v MRS S & 7 Ors(2006) Jo Delahunty QC [2006] EWHC 2001 (Fam)
14/04/2006 Re X Sub Nom Barnet LBC v Y (2006) Jo Delahunty QC (2006) 2 FLR 998
Appointed Emeritus Gresham Professor of Law in 2020.
Recorder (South Eastern Circuit) Family : Public and Private Law 2009
Bencher the Honorable Society of Middle Temple 2011
Professor of Law Gresham College, London, 2016
Door Tenant at Parklane Plowden
Alongside her public speaking engagements for lawyers Jo is in demand for talks to the business community and private industry on issues such as leadership and teamwork, coping under pressure and transferable skills : https://harveythorneycroft.co.uk/speakers/professor-jo-delahunty-qc/. '
Publications and Teaching
Jo Delahunty QC was appointed Professorship of Law to Gresham College( est 1597) in 2016 ; a role she maintains alongside her silk practice .
In her capacity as Gresham Professor of Law, Professor Delahunty QC continues the 421-year-old tradition of delivering free public lectures within the City of London at Bernard’s Inn and via live streamed web to the UK and internationally. The annual series of six free public lectures confronts issues arising from her child protection practice and the family justice processes around families and children.
The hour-long free public lectures take place at the Barnard’s Inn Hall, EC1N and are livestreamed : the lecture and notes are available to download via the Gresham website https://www.gresham.ac.uk/professors-and-speakers/professor-jo-delahunty-qc/
Transparency in the Family Justice System (2017-18)
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/series/transparency-in-the-family-justice-system/
1. Women Lawyers: Equals At The Bar?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/womens-lawyers-equals-at-the-bar
2. What Do Judges Do in the Family Court?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/what-do-judges-do-in-the-family-court
3. Vulnerable Clients and The Family Justice System
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/vulnerbale-clients-and-the-family-justice-system
4. Dealing with Sex Abuse: How Does the Family Court Assess Risk?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/dealing-with-sex-abuse-how-does-the-family-court-assess-risk
5. The Child in the Family Court Room: Whose Child is it Anyway?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-child-in-the-family-court-room-whose-child-is-it-anyway
6. Transparency in the Family Court: What Goes On Behind Closed Doors?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/transparency-in-the-family-court-what-goes-on-behind-closed-doors
When Worlds Collide: The Family and the Law (2016-17)
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/series/when-worlds-collide-the-family-and-the-law/
1. Sex Death and Witchcraft: What Goes On In the Family Court Room?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/sex-death-and-witchcraft-what-goes-on-in-the-family-court-room
2. Is One Individual’s Radicalism another’s Right to Free Speech?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/is-one-individuals-radicalism-anothers-right-to-free-speech
3. When Legal Worlds Collide
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/when-legal-worlds-collide
4. Guilty Until Proven Innocent
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/guilty-until-proven-innocent
5. Expert Witness: a Zero Sum Game?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/expert-witness-a-zero-sum-game
6. ‘Two Point One Children’: Why There Is No Typical Family in The Family Court
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/two-point-one-children-why-there-is-no-typical-family-in-the-family-court
Articles
Jo writes for specialist legal journals – including ‘Counsel’ Magazine and ‘The Barrister’ and is a regular invited contributor to the Jordan’s Family Law monthly periodical (most recently a a 3 part series on the Rights of Parents with Disabilities in the Family Justice System 2018)
Previous articles published by Jordans’ have sought to explain the ramifications of emerging research on childhooddisease and suspected child abuse and natural disease mimicking inflicted injury , the role of experts in family proceedings, and issues arising within alleged Radicalism cases confronting family practitioners and the Family Division.
Alongside her public speaking engagements for lawyers Jo is in demand for talks to the business community and private industry on issues such as leadership and teamwork, coping under pressure and transferable skills : https://harveythorneycroft.co.uk/speakers/professor-jo-delahunty-qc/. '
Jo Delahunty QC was appointed Professorship of Law to Gresham College( est 1597) in 2016 ; a role she maintains alongside her silk practice .
In her capacity as Gresham Professor of Law, Professor Delahunty QC continues the 421-year-old tradition of
delivering free public lectures within the City of London at Bernard’s Inn and via live streamed web to the UK and internationally
The annual series of six free public lectures confrontsissues arising from her child protection practice and the family justice processes around families and children.
The hour-long free public lectures take place at the Barnard’s Inn Hall, EC1N and are livestreamed : the lecture and notes are available to download via the Gresham website https://www.gresham.ac.uk/professors-and-speakers/professor-jo-delahunty-qc/
Transparency in the Family Justice System (2017-18)
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/series/transparency-in-the-family-justice-system/
1. Women Lawyers: Equals At The Bar?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/womens-lawyers-equals-at-the-bar
2. What Do Judges Do in the Family Court?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/what-do-judges-do-in-the-family-court
3. Vulnerable Clients and The Family Justice System
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/vulnerbale-clients-and-the-family-justice-system
4. Dealing with Sex Abuse: How Does the Family Court Assess Risk?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/dealing-with-sex-abuse-how-does-the-family-court-assess-risk
5. The Child in the Family Court Room: Whose Child is it Anyway?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-child-in-the-family-court-room-whose-child-is-it-anyway
6. Transparency in the Family Court: What Goes On Behind Closed Doors?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/transparency-in-the-family-court-what-goes-on-behind-closed-doors
When Worlds Collide: The Family and the Law (2016-17)
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/series/when-worlds-collide-the-family-and-the-law/
1. Sex Death and Witchcraft: What Goes On In the Family Court Room?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/sex-death-and-witchcraft-what-goes-on-in-the-family-court-room
2. Is One Individual’s Radicalism another’s Right to Free Speech?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/is-one-individuals-radicalism-anothers-right-to-free-speech
3. When Legal Worlds Collide
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/when-legal-worlds-collide
4. Guilty Until Proven Innocent
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/guilty-until-proven-innocent
5. Expert Witness: a Zero Sum Game?
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/expert-witness-a-zero-sum-game
6. ‘Two Point One Children’: Why There Is No Typical Family in The Family Court
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/two-point-one-children-why-there-is-no-typical-family-in-the-family-court
Conferences
Jo is a sought after speaker at medico/legal family conferences for her insights into how to deal with
challenging cases involving complex medical evidence and emerging science as well
as how to manage the cross examination of experts and vulnerable witnesses and how to approach cases of sexual and physical abuse : most recently at the White Paper Conference 2017, the Park Lane Plowden Annual Conference 2017 and previously at Butterworths Annual Public Law Conference and for Jordan’s Family Law
Jo headlined a conference in Leeds in January 2016 alongside the academic Dr Gordon Clubb, lecturer in
International Security and Chair of the Terrorism and Political Violence Association on the ‘Risks of
Radicalisation’.and spoke alongside Charles Farr, Director –General Counter
Terrorism Unit, academics and professionals from Prevent, social workers and representatives from th National Terrorism Unit
in London, November 2015 on the subject of ‘Radicalisation; Safeguarding and the Family Courts’.
Jo has given a keynote lecture at the Australian NSW Annual Child Protection Conference on 'Child Protection Under a Pandemic: the UK Experience'.
MA (Oxon) Jurisprudence
Association of Women Barristers
Family Law Bar Association
The Temple Women’s Forum (steering committee) 2011 – present
Centre for Child and Family Reform (CCFLR) committee 2012–present
Patron of AMEND (The Association for Multiple Endocrine Disorders)
![A Local Authority v AG [2020] WLR(D) 201, [2020] EWFC 18 and A Local Authority v AG (No 2) [2020] EWHC 1346 (Fam).](/thumb.php?src=http://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/images/news/a-local-authority-v-ag-2020-wlrd-201-2020-ewfc-18-and-a-local-authority-v-ag-no-2-2020-ewhc-1346-fam-18.jpg&w=450&h=300)
