Year of call 1991
Jane O’Reilly
Family • Family Finance • Alternative Dispute Resolution
Summary
Having been called to the bar in 1991, Jane is one of the most senior members of chambers family team. Held in very high regard by the local legal community, Jane practises in all areas of family law, with an emphasis on family finance work as well as public and private law Children Act proceedings.
Jane instructed on behalf of all parties in care, adoption and other public law applications. This includes
representing parents, grandparents, guardian-ad-litems and local authorities. Her availability is often requested to
represent the most vulnerable of clients in what can be complicated and difficult to navigate proceedings. This
usually involves cases where there are significant serious allegations of harm to children such as extreme violence,
neglect and sexual abuse.
She is very experienced when required to perform robust cross-examination of experts on complex medical
evidence as well as psychiatrists, psychologists and other expert witnesses on the most serious of issues.
Jane is instructed on behalf of parents, children and intervenors in all manner of private law applications. She has
widespread experience of cases involving allegations of serious sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, coercive
behaviour and emotional abuse.
In addition, she also has experience of dealing with international aspects of Children Law, applications for leave to
remove children from the jurisdiction and relocation within the jurisdiction.
Jane’s caseload often includes matters where there are serious allegations against the other parent or family member.
Jane balances a user friendly and client focussed approach with ensuring any negotiations are dealt with robustly.
Her work in this area includes dealing with pensions, trusts and company accounts. This can often include situations
where assets are alleged to have been concealed or where assets form part of separate proceedings. Jane’s other
areas of family financial work include applications relating to property and also finances relating to cohabitees
under TOLATA (including applications under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989.)
In addition to acting as an advocate within court proceedings, Jane is also available for instruction for out of court ‘round table’ processes such as Private FDRs and Early Neutral Evaluations.