Here, Jo-Anna Jellings explains how a domestic abuse defence can be used to block a child’s return under the Hague Convention.
Read moreJo-Anna Jellings
Legal Director
0161 836 8960
jo-anna.jellings@brabners.com
Jo-Anna is a Legal Director in our family team.
She has particular expertise in complex children matters and fertility law, with extensive experience in matters involving serious allegations from domestic abuse to alienation, parental relocation, internal and external relocation applications, Special Guardianship orders and international child abduction.
Jo-Anna deals with matters involving fertility law including domestic and international surrogacy. She also has significant experience of private children cases where the Local Authority becomes involved.
She advises on cases involving all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and financial matters and cases with international elements and complex issues including committal, enforcement and interim issues.
Her clients come from a wide range of different backgrounds within both the UK and abroad.
Having practised family law for over a decade, Jo-Anna has been involved in a wide variety of cases, including a number of reported cases in respect of the interpretation and application of the law relating to surrogacy, as well as the impact of litigation misconduct within financial remedy proceedings.
She's recognised as a Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 2025.
A member of the Young Resolution Committee and Child Abduction Lawyers Association, Jo-Anna is well regarded for her determined approach to the most challenging and sensitive cases and frequently receives praise from clients and counsel for her unyielding commitment to her clients.
She has also produced a number of academic and press comment pieces together with contributing to publications on divorce, financial settlements, alternative families and matters relating to children.
Jo-Anna joined us in 2023 and is based in our Manchester office.
Recognised in The Legal 500 2025
“The ’superb’ Jo-Anna Jellings is particularly sought after for children matters.”
The Legal 500 2025
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In this article we look at potential legal requirements when parents separate and wish to relocate.
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