Jane Wilson

I am a Director and Child Care Solicitor at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, based in the Newcastle office. I specialise in a broad variety of children, family and domestic abuse matters, frequently representing parents whose children are subject to proceedings or the pre-proceedings process involving the local authority. I am passionate about protecting the rights of autistic children and parents within the family justice system, alongside those with other neurodivergent conditions and hidden disabilities and am a member of the specialist Autism and ADHD team within our Child Care department.

I am a member of the Law Society Children Panel, illustrating my expertise in this field and I have a wealth of experience representing children, through their Cafcass Guardians in both public and private law proceedings. I specialise in all types of cases relating to children, particularly in public law (care) cases involving social services, deprivation of liberty and secure accommodation. My expertise and experience led to me being shortlisted for Young Family Solicitor of the Year at the Family Law Awards in 2019. Having trained as a barrister, I am a capable and experienced advocate and regularly represent my clients in court. I am adept at cross-examination of both professional and lay witnesses and regularly appear in complex, contested final hearings and fact finding hearings.

My caseload is varied and covers a wide range of family and child care matters, this includes care proceedings, placement orders, matters that involve adoption or fostering and child protection matters. I assist both children and their families, often in matters where complex elements such as abuse, trafficking or mental health issues are present.

My practice also extends to international and emergency cases, including urgent wardship applications and child abduction matters. I am able to work effectively in high-pressure situations, ensuring that clients receive the best possible outcomes even in emergencies.

I have a particular interest and expertise in cases involving neurodivergent children and/or parents and am committed to ensuring that an individual’s specific needs are considered and met within proceedings. I am studying for Level 2 Qualification in Understanding Autism. I am committed to assisting the most vulnerable in society, particularly those with learning difficulties and those who are victims of abuse. My empathetic approach ensures that I work closely with clients to fully understand their needs and represent their interests effectively. Additionally, my background as a trained community mediator enhances my ability to facilitate resolutions in complex and contentious matters.

• View Jane Wilson’s "Autism/ADHD in Family and Children Law" profile

• Legal Practice Course - BPP Law School
• Graduate Diploma in Law - Kaplan Law School
• Bar Professional Training Course - Kaplan Law School
• MA (Hons) Philosophy - University of Edinburgh

• Appointed Director (2024)
• Admitted as a Solicitor (2018)
• Duncan Lewis Solicitors (2014 - Present)

• "Jane instructed me to represent a mother in care proceedings and at a contested final hearing that was won in the first instance but then successfully appealed by the local authority. The mother had a difficult case facing many challenges in being able to resume care of her child and was, ultimately, unsuccessful. Jane prepared the mother’s case with great thought and diligence. The client’s statement was one of the best I have read in 20 years at the Bar and this was due to Jane. Jane had carefully analysed the case against the client, made extensive inquiries about support and services, to obtain information and evidence to support the client’s case. She drafted a balanced, thoughtful and realistic statement. She pitched the case exactly right. She liaised with a support worker who assisted the client to understand the case intellectually and emotionally away from court and at court. Jane attended every day of the final hearing to support the client inside and outside court. She managed to be very sensitive and supportive without becoming over involved and so maintained a professional distance. Although the client ultimately lost the case it was clear to me that the client understood and valued all Jane had done for her. I was immensely impressed with Jane’s ability as a lawyer both intellectually and in supporting our client. I thought her skills were way beyond what I would expect in many experienced solicitors, never mind a young solicitor. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jane to clients or instructing Jane to represent me if I was ever in need of a family law solicitor." - Barrister of 22 years

• Member of the Law Society Children Panel

• Jane Wilson Promoted To Director of Family and Child Care in Newcastle (6 June 2024)
• Can men help end violence against women and girls? (9 March 2022)
• Solicitor Jane Wilson is shortlisted for the Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year award at the Family Law Awards 2019 (2 September 2019)