Hill Dickinson LLP

Healthcare and Public Law

Partner

Following graduation, Joanna started her career at Carpenters Solicitors in 2002 where she progressed from a Paralegal to completing her training contract.  Joanna combined the part time study contract with the Legal Practice Course and qualified in 2006.

After qualifying as a Solicitor, Joanna joined the Healthcare and Public Law team in Hill Dickinson, where her career has progressed.  She was promoted to Senior Associate in 2012, Legal and Director in 2018 and was promoted to Partner in 2024.

Joanna is deputy head of the Healthcare and Public Law team in Liverpool dealing with management of a Team as well as leading on national strategy for Mental Capacity Act and deprivation of liberty.

Joanna conducts Inquests at a high-level including advocacy and is often specifically requested by clients to conduct cases.  She has particularly taken a leading role in representing mental health trusts and healthcare providers in complex, Article 2 inquests with a jury where deaths have occurred in prison and regularly appears as an advocate in these cases.

Joanna frequently advises NHS Trusts and Integrated Commissioning Boards in relation to funding issues.  Joanna has a special expertise in relation to NHS Continuing Healthcare and regularly advises ICBs about their responsibilities under CHC, including providing high level strategic advice, her expertise has also been requested by NHS England.    She has an established practice and reputation for this area of law.

Joanna’s 2024 highlights include:

Dealing with high profile complex inquests of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. These Inquests are Article 2 inquests requiring a Jury. Representing a prison healthcare provider in the Inquest into the death of a woman who died by her own hand. Dealing with complex evidential issues in relation to interaction between drug withdrawal and mental health, as well as supporting witnesses who had their own vulnerabilities. Representing a children’s hospital Trust in an urgent application for authorisation of deprivation of liberty of a child. Advising ICB clients in relation to their commissioning responsibilities, including providing strategic advice on a longstanding dispute with Local Authorities. Advising an ICB in relation to system wide commissioning policy

The Law Society

Merchant Taylors School for Girls 1992-1997 King George V College, Southport 1997-1999 University of Liverpool LLB Hons 1999-2002 LLB (Hons) College of Law Cheshire 2003-2005, Legal Practice Course

Joanna is mum to two children and has worked flexibly since the birth of her first child in 2009.  She is an advocate for supporting colleagues with caring responsibilities (both male and female) balance the demands of work and family life.  She shares responsibility for managing the household with her husband, who also works part time.