Janet Plange

  • Year of Call 1981

Instruct Janet

Introduction

Introduction

Janet has been practising at the Family Bar for more than 40 years and is well known for her commitment to every aspect of the family justice system.  She advises on both public and private law proceedings.  She has a reputation for her work and commitment to vulnerable parents in care proceedings whose cases appear to be difficult or hopeless.  She is regularly instructed on behalf of parents, wider family members and guardians.

Janet undertakes some pro bono work where it is considered that the parent is otherwise unable to access justice in the Family Courts.  In suitable cases she will work with solicitors to keep her costs within legal aid limits where her clients fall outside of the limits for eligibility.

Earlier in her career Janet worked for 2 years as an in-house lawyer in two busy London local authorities where she gained invaluable experience and insight into the role a child protection lawyer.  This experience informs her work on behalf of her clients.

Janet’s interests include all aspects of dance (particularly Latin American) and ballet (she attends Silver Swans ballet classes at the Royal Academy of Dance).  She also enjoys visiting art galleries and museums.

Janet loves international travel and visits Spain and South American countries several times a year.  She speaks Spanish and French.

Family

Family

  • Public and Private Law proceedings representing parents and other adult family members
  • Public and Private Law proceedings representing children/guardians
  • Public and Private Law proceedings representing the Official Solicitor in cases of parents under a mental health disability
  • Private Law Proceedings representing parents in highly complex cases where expert evidence (psychiatric and psychological) is commissioned; cases of implacable hostility and where a change in living arrangements is considered in view of this
  • Public and Private law cases where there are serious allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and where there is a conflict of expert evidence
  • Public Law proceedings where there are parallel criminal proceedings
  • High Court Wardship proceedings
  • Adoption proceedings at all levels of first instance court
  • Representation of local authorities in Public Law proceedings at all levels of Court
  • Court of Appeal cases
  • Same sex couple cases involving living/time spent with conflict, including complex High Court cases
  • Removal from the jurisdiction cases and cases with an immigration/foreign aspect

Qualifications

Qualifications

LLB Hons, University of Birmingham

Memberships

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)

Languages

Languages

She speaks fluent Spanish and French