Joanne O’Shea

Joanne has over 25 years experience as a barrister practising initially in all areas including crime, civil, immigration and family both private and public law. Joanne has specialised in family law for 20 years. Prior to becoming a barrister Joanne worked in business development with blue-chip companies.  Both her commercial experience and her experience as a barrister have highlighted the critical need, where possible, for a solutions-based approach to litigation. Joanne’s background enables her to draw on a wide bank of knowledge and experience when evaluating the issues in a case.

Joanne has both a depth to her experience and a firm knowledge of the law together with a clear understanding of the litigation journey and the risks/costs when matters are litigated which are can be financial, emotional and/or reputational.  

Within any form of NCDR each party is given a platform where they have both agency and control over the outcomes.    Joanne has both the knowledge and skills to give a clear assessment of realistic outcomes within the forum of a private DRA. Joanne will give parties clear directive guidance and focus to enable them to reach a fully informed agreement or compromise.   

Joanne has undertaken mediation training.  Her experience and training have given her a very developed sense of what the issues are or can be for both parties and how to work through those issues to establish mutually agreed outcomes.

Yorkshire (2026)
Non-Molestation order sought by under 18-year-old in respect of under 18 year old. Without notice NMO refused. Matter was agreed at first hearing by parties agreeing cross undertakings. This avoided further litigation costs and a process which was disproportionate. Matters resolved proportionately and fairly at first hearing by seeking and achieving suitable solutions.

Yorkshire (2025)
Matter listed for a 2 day fact find. Parties agreed at court that no fact find was necessary. No findings were sought by either party. Court agreed with the above. The result was that contact which had been suspended for a significant period with the non-resident parent was reinstated immediately on an unsupervised basis. The removal of the fact find enabled both contact to restart and avoided delay for the child.

E: clerks@broadwayhouse.co.uk

T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600