Janet Bettle LL B (Lond)

Janet is a University Laureate and Inner Temple Marshall Hall/Duke of Edinburgh Scholar. She is a former University Lecturer who made the move from academia in 1989 and still regularly delivers lectures to professionals on developing areas of the law. She is a co-author of Bettle and Hamey’s Personal Injury Claims in the County Court and has written a number of articles for the academic and professional legal press. An article by Janet on vicarious liability was cited by Lord Clyde in the leading case of Phelps v Hillingdon LBC.

 

Janet has developed a particular interest and expertise in shaken baby syndrome in care cases and has recently co-written an article on this complex subject with Jonathan Herring of Oxford University. This is due to be published in Family Law shortly.

Janet has a very busy practice. She deals extensively with family law, focussing on ancillary relief, children and related matters.  Whilst Janet has an impressive academic background, she is very approachable and known for her practical approach to difficult family situations.

 

Interesting cases

Recent cases have involved :

• a successful appeal hearing involving ancillary relief claims against monies held by way of PI damages
• a successful application for revocation of a placement order
• a successfully negotiated ToLATA claim which came to light as a by product of a Children Act case
• complex fact finding with a background of serious mental health problems
• representation of teenage mothers, in some cases themselves in care
• representation via the Official Solicitor of a patient
• the interaction of the CPR and FPR in relation to costs applications on family appeals

Janet is also one of chambers pupil supervisors.

Publications

"Shaken Baby Syndrome and Care Proceedings" (with Herring, J) : due to be published by Family Law (a publishing imprint of Jordan Publishing Ltd) this autumn

 

"A modern day morality tale : Ashby v Kilduff"   This article, written by Janet with Professor Bright of Oxford University on ToLATA and proprietary estoppel, was published by Family Law in the February 2011 issue at [2011] Fam Law 168

 

"Suing Hospitals Direct : Whose Tort was it Anyhow?" (1987) 137 New LJ 573, referred to in Clerk & Lindsell on Torts, 17th ed (1995), p 445, para 8-63, and by Lord Clyde in Phelps v Hillingdon LBC [2001] 2 AC 619, at 676

 

Co-author : Bettle and Hamey’s Personal Injury Claims in the County Court

Interests

Janet is a best-selling author of crime fiction, which has been published in several different countries as well as in the UK.  She also enjoys music and plays in a local orchestra.  Janet has recently returned from travelling to Antarctica as a chaperone for a group of international students – an expedition covered by the East Anglian Daily Times.