Drystone Chambers

Joanne Eley was called to the Bar in 1997 and joined One Paper Buildings in 2007, having previously practiced at a Chambers in Chelmsford. She practices on the South Eastern Circuit, predominantly in East Anglia. She is an experienced practitioner, specialising in serious sexual offences offences and in particular child abuse. She is regularly instructed in cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses and defendants, prosecuting and defending in equal measure.

Joanne Eley has extensive experience of drugs conspiracies, attempted murder, violence and dishonesty. She also has experience of dealing with offences involving child cruelty, in particular cases of serious injury and neglect. Her practice focuses heavily on serious sexual offences, including rape and sexual offences involving children. This year she has been involved in a number of cases involving very young children, the youngest being 4 years of age, requiring a departure from traditional cross examination and a clear under standing of the Advocates Gateway. She is frequently instructed in both contemporary and historic sexual allegations. Last year she defended in 2 particularly serious cases; the first involved a young man charged with a serious sexual assault on a 16 month old baby, causing what were described as horrific injuries, of a sexual nature. This involved detailed cross examination of a number of expert paediatricians, who specialised in child sex abuse. She was also instructed to represent a man charged with historic sexual abuse over a period of 30 years, the complainants include a number of family members. Joanne Eley led Junior Counsel in this case, which resulted in an acquittal by the Jury on all counts. She has particular expertise in cases involving mentally disordered defendants and children. These cases requiring a particularly sensitive approach. Joanne Eley has led Junior Counsel in a drugs conspiracy. Miss Eley has recently been instructed as Junior Counsel to prosecute a multi handed brothel conspiracy (she is being led by Charles Myatt). The investigation and allegations cover a number of counties in the U.K. She is currently prosecuting a particular serious allegation contrary to sections 18 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, it is alleged the defendant set fire to another individual causing serious injury. Last year she gained experience prosecuting an individual for animal cruelty (R. v. Trevor Lay). The prosecution arose out of a contravention of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species, which therefore involved a breach of EU Regulations under the Control of Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations of 1997. In the past she has been instructed as Junior Counsel in serious cases of fraud.

Called to the Bar in 1997 BA Hons Law, Sociology and Psychology Dip in Law

Member of Middle Temple Member of Criminal Bar Association Member of the South Eastern Circuit Member of East Anglian Bar Mess Grade 3 prosecutor and CPS Rape panel advocate

Hull University (BA (Hons)) Law, Sociology and Psychology; diploma in Law.