Joseph Lynch

Call to the Bar 2007

HEAD OF FAMILY TEAM

Since joining Chambers in 2012, Joe has appeared at all levels in Public and Private Law family proceedings including the High Court and Court of Appeal. He has represented Local Authorities, Parents and Guardians and has a reputation for adopting a practical approach whilst maintaining the ability to robustly challenge contentious elements of the case.

Joe deals with clients in an insightful and supportive manner whilst always remaining aware of the need to work towards the best outcome in the interests of the parties. He is particularly aware of the vulnerabilities of some clients when they find themselves in the court arena and has given talks relating to the options available for such witnesses and the need to ensure they are offered the protection they need to allow them to have the opportunity to provide the best evidence. 

He has a strong commitment to the voice of the client being heard in court and is particularly aware of how important that apparently simple element of the court process can be. He is also aware of the importance of a case being properly put and properly tested.

He works well with Instructing solicitors so as to deploy the best possible strategy in any given case and ensures they are kept aware of developments during proceedings. He appreciates the need for all those involved to be kept up to date with developments in the case and ensures that this is a priority. 

Joe is a pupil supervisor, a role he thoroughly enjoys, and feels is an important part of continuing to build chambers development over the coming years. In recent years he has overseen the pupillages of Rebecca Kocerhan, Nick McCall and Ellie Whiteside-Hunt. He is currently supervising Ayse Akgol who started her pupillage in April 2021.

Notable Cases

Re V – Represented the local authority in a multi-week High Court matter involving allegations of historic sexual abuse. Both parents were represented by leading counsel following legal argument around proportionality the matter proceeded and all findings sought were made out.

OP D – Led by Simon Bickler QC representing a mother who was fully exonerated.

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2019/64.html

Re M & K – Represented the Guardian in proceedings where his position changed from support of the local authority placement application to a plan of the child remaining with his mother. The court agreed with the Guardian’s change of position and the subsequent appeal was dismissed.

Re J – Represented a teenage mother in proceedings instigated through 12-week-old infant suffering unexplained head injury. Cross examination of experts regarding causation led to the mother being removed from the list of potential perpetrators.

Re B – Finding of Fact hearing where non mobile baby had suffered a significant brain trauma and fractures. Represented the foster carer who was included in the list of potential perpetrators and the parents were asserting a positive case against her. Following a multi-day hearing the foster carer was cleared of any allegations and able to resume her career.

Re B – Represented the mother in Finding of Fact hearing in which the maternal Grandfather faced allegations of sexual abuse both current and historic, mother faced allegations of facilitation but no findings were made against her.

Re O & E – Represented Foster Carers who had made an application for SGO which was opposed by the LA and the parents of the children. The SGO was made.

D v E [2016] EWFC 3 – A cross jurisdictional private law matter dealing with living arrangements, contact issues and weighing of parental involvement over stability of placement with maternal family member. 

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2016/3.html 

Re T– A complex case before the High Court involving developmental delay concerning two children.

Re A – A Private Law High Court Matter in which cross jurisdictional issues arose along with issues of fundamental parental rights at large.

Qualifications

BA (Hons) English & History       University of Ulster

MA Irish Literature                      University of Ulster

PG (Dip) Law                                 Manchester Met

BVC  V.Competent                       University of Northumbria

Memberships

The Honourable Society of Middle Temple

The Northern Circuit

FLBA

What his clients say…

Andrea A professional client

Just wanted to say a sincere thank you for the support that you have offered to [our mutual client], and myself, over the course of the past week. It is genuinely appreciated. When people do their jobs with passion, conviction, and integrity, it makes such a huge difference. It was a pleasure to meet you.

B [name redacted for confidentiality] Family of client

Joe's assistance in this exhausting case has really been something. When he became involved, it was clear that he was on top of his game and his no-nonsense approach was exactly what was needed to get things moving towards a proper outcome. Thank you!