Family

Family barrister Jane Withington (formerly Jane Hayward) joined 3PB in October 2023 and is based in the Birmingham office. Jane brings a wealth of experience to our team, having qualified as a solicitor in October 2006 and practised in family law ever since.

Jane was a solicitor for 17 years and was accredited as a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel in January 2014 representing a varied client base including parents, grandparents and other family members, Children’s Guardians, Gillick competent children, vulnerable persons including through the Official Solicitor as well as Local Authorities.

Jane's busy practice now focuses on Private Law Children and Public Law Care work, where she will represent both professional and lay clients. She has considerable experience in all matters involving disputes about children, including Care Proceedings involving the local authority and disputes around contact and where a child should live.

Jane is a very able advocate and attends court to undertake a variety of court hearings including more complex multi-day hearings and interim and final contested hearings as well as emergency hearings. Jane is highly motivated and strives to provide straightforward, honest and clear advice to clients and to ensure that they fully understand the legal process that they are involved in.

Family 

Former family law solicitor-turned barrister Jane Withington (formerly Jane Hayward), who qualified as a solicitor in 2006, caseload focuses on Private Law Children and Public Law Care work, where she will represent all parties, including local authorities, parents, grandparents and children, among others.

Care and Adoption

Jane Withington has represented parents, children and local authorities in complex cases including non-accidental injury to children, physical violence, FGM, sexual abuse, and fabricated and induced illness.

Jane has represented parties in care proceedings involving:

Non-accidental injury and death of a child Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Child Criminal Exploitation Parental drug and alcohol addiction FGM Honour based violence Secure accommodation Deprivation of Liberty Adoption Recovery Orders Special Guardianship Discharge of care orders and revocation of placement orders Private Law Children

Jane Withington has represented children and parents in cases involving:

Domestic abuse Physical harm Rule 16.4 Guardian Parental alienation Special Guardianship Specific Issue Orders Prohibited Steps Orders Child Arrangements Orders

LPC, College of Law, Birmingham Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with Honours, University of Central England