Joanne Kingsland

Joanne specialises in in cases involving allegations of historic physical and sexual abuse and claims against Children's Social Care for failure to protect children from harm. She has also dealt with cases on behalf of care homes and care providers for older people and people with learning disabilities and for secure hospitals. These cases have involved allegations of assaults on both staff and service users.

She has over 30 years’ experience advising clients across a range of sectors including care homes and care providers. Her key clients include Northumberland County Council and Bradford Council.

She has acted in two ground breaking cases: A House of Lords case heard with A v Hoare which saw a change in the law on limitation and the Court of Appeal case of Dunn v Durham County Council relating to disclosure of confidential records.

Joanne advises on abuse, failure to remove, police, HRA and DPA, failure to educate, harassment, Equality Act and stress claims.

Relevant experience includes advising:

• Durham County Council on a matter that had been a test case in the Court of Appeal previously in relation to disclosure and was an important decision regarding limitation. The claim involved allegations of historical physical abuse dating back to the 1980s. The alleged abusers were able to give evidence but the judge still found that the evidence was less cogent as a result of the delay and refused permission to proceed out of time pursuant to s33 of the Limitation Act 1908. He also found that the claimant could not prove the alleged assaults against him.

Joanne is recognised by the Legal 500 for her experience and knowledge.