Pump Court Chambers

Jennifer Swan

Call: 2009

Instructing Jennifer Swan

Would you like to know more?

If you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.

Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.

Jennie worked for a Family law solicitors firm in the Midlands for several years before joining the Independent Bar. She specialises in all aspects of children law with particular emphasis on public, private and international work.  Jennie acts for Local Authorities, parents, children and intervenors in public law matters, including cases with an international element and where there are allegations of non-accidental injury, sexual abuse and neglect.  She has been instructed in connection with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

In private law matters she is regularly instructed in serious and complex cases, including those on the ‘cusp’ of the public law jurisdiction, cases in which there are concurrent criminal proceedings and cases involving parental alienation.

Jennie has particular experience representing vulnerable clients, including victims of domestic violence, people with current or previous drugs/alcohol misuse issues, poor mental health and learning difficulties. She has experience working with adults who require specialist advocates to help them participate fully in the Court process.

Jennie is ranked as a Tier 1 Leading Junior in Legal 500 for Family and Children Law. She is described in the current edition as “tenacious, quick-thinking and persuasive” and “a strong advocate who provides realistic advice.”

She accepts direct access instructions.

Legal Services

Jennie specialises in public law children matters, in which she regularly acts for Local Authorities, parents, children (including competent children) and intervenors. She has experience of serious and complex cases including those with an international element, involving child death, non-accidental injury, factitious induced illness and sexual abuse.  She is regularly instructed in contested placement and adoption proceedings.  A number of Jennie’s cases have involved previous or concurrent criminal proceedings, including against children.  She has extensive experience representing vulnerable clients.

Jennie has been instructed on a number of cases in the High Court involving deprivation of liberty and secure accommodation applications in respect of vulnerable young people, including those requiring long term specialist care.

Jennie represents clients at all stages of proceedings, up to and including appeal, and is happy to advise in conference at any time.

Jennie is ranked as a Tier 1 Leading Junior in Legal 500 for Family and Children Law. She is described in the current edition of Legal 500 as “tenacious, quick-thinking and persuasive” and “a strong advocate who provides realistic advice.”

In previous editions of Legal 500, clients note that “Jennifer is a very user-friendly child law expert. She is very calm and collected, and has a great grasp of the details”

Selected Cases

Re D (children) [2011] EWCA Civ 1743

Jennie was junior in this Court of Appeal case representing the Father of a baby who had suffered a number of unexplained injuries. At first instance the Judge had made differing decisions as to contact for the Mother and Father, without making a decision as to who was responsible for the injuries. The different treatment of the parents was not sustainable on appeal.

Re H

This case involved a young Mother with complex and enduring mental health needs who was, intermittently, assisted by the Official Solicitor. The matter concluded with assessment and placement of the child with family carers in Canada.

Re T

This long running case involved inter-sibling sexual abuse and parental mental health difficulties. There were concurrent criminal proceedings involving one of the children and differing professional opinion as to how the family could best be supported in the long term.

Re W

An application by a Local Authority for a public law orders after the parents concealed the birth of a child. The case involved jurisdictional issues as it was unclear where the child was habitually resident.

Jennie has extensive experience in a wide range of private law matters and acts for parents, grandparents and children at all stages of proceedings. She is regularly instructed on serious and complex cases, including those involving allegations of serious domestic violence and physical, sexual and emotional abuse against children.  Jennie has considerable experience of intractable contact disputes, including where there are concerns in respect of parental alienation, and she has been commended for a robust approach particularly in these matters.

Jennie regularly appears in cases involving permanent or temporary relocation – both within the UK and internationally – acting for both the removing and the left behind parent.

Jennie is ranked as a Tier 1 Leading Junior in Legal 500 for Family and Children Law. She is described in the current edition of Legal 500 as “tenacious, quick-thinking and persuasive” and “a strong advocate who provides realistic advice.”

In previous editions of Legal 500, clients note that “Jennifer is a very user-friendly child law expert. She is very calm and collected, and has a great grasp of the details”

Selected Cases

B v R

These proceedings centred on the issue of alleged sexual abuse of a very young child, where the alleged perpetrator had subsequently disappeared. The final hearing lasted 6 days and, in addition to the sexual abuse allegations, involved counter allegations of emotional abuse and parental alienation.

M v M

This case focused on the issue of parental alienation. Additional issues included; psychiatric assessment of the children and family, children giving evidence, separate representation of the children and the children’s attendance and presence in the Courtroom during evidence.

R v G

This serious and long running case involved allegations of radicalisation, risk of FGM and physical and emotional abuse of the children.

K v K

An application to temporarily remove a child from the jurisdiction for the purposes of a holiday to a non-Hague Convention country. Consideration was given as to how to secure return of the child in the event of retention.

D v D

Jennie represented a parent in this appeal from a decision to change their children’s residence at an interim stage

L v L

This case involved serious allegations of sexual abuse against a non-subject child, the subject child’s excellent relationship with her parent had to be preserved prior to the Court making findings as to the disputed allegations.

S v W

An application to permanently remove a child from the jurisdiction. Complicating factors included mental and physical health difficulties on the part of the parents.

Jennie regularly represents both left behind and abducting parents in cases involving international child abduction. She accepts short notice emergency instructions and is happy to advise on the telephone and in conference.

Selected Cases

Re B

These long running and complex proceedings involved an application under the Inherent Jurisdiction by a ‘left behind’ parent to secure the return of his daughter to England from India.

Re G

Proceedings issued in respect of a child who had been brought to England from Poland. The abducting parent raised defences of acquiescence and consent.

Re W

These were emergency proceedings issued under the Inherent Jurisdiction to protect a child who, were it not for the timely actions of the parent’s legal team, would have been abducted to China.

Instructing Jennifer Swan

Would you like to know more?

If you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.

Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.

Home

Shortlist Builder

Close

Select the legal services that you would like to download or add to the shortlist

Download Add to shortlist
Shortlist close
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download


Click here to email this list.