Jessica Hartley

Jessica qualified in 2020 after completing her training contract within Local Government. Jessica began her legal career as a legal assistant working in Road Traffic Accidents before being promoted to a Claims Handler. Following this, Jessica worked as a Senior Legal Assistant in the Childcare Team at Sefton Council which is where her passion for working within Child Protection began. She joined Weightmans as a newly qualified solicitor in October 2020.

Jessica prides herself on her knowledge of working within a local authority, with an excellent understanding of the internal processes on how decisions are made, and the different levels of approvals needed to progress a case.

Jessica is comfortable working on cases involving complex issues such as:

• Non-Accidental Injuries;
• International Elements;
• Falsified/Fabricated Illness; and
• Parental Alienation.

Jessica also has experience dealing with Deprivation of Liberty and Secure Accommodation applications.

Jessica can advise on a wide range of instructions in respect of Child Protection from initial intervention at PLO, to interim removal/placement and then can progress case through to final evidence and the final hearing.

Jessica has an excellent working relationship with her clients and is friendly and approachable.

Jessica also works on the out of hours rota, dealing with emergencies applications out of business hours.

As well as her work on the Social Care and Governance Team, Jessica also assists the Police Team in applications for Domestic Violence Protection Orders.