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Joy Okoye

Joy Okoye

  • Divorce
  • Family & Children

Summary

Joy Okoye was called to the Bar of England & Wales in 1981 and was called as a Solicitor & Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1982. She provides a specialist advocacy and advisory service based on her extensive experience of all aspects of family law and child protection.

Specialist areas of law include

  • Divorce
  • Family & Children

Profile description

Family Law Specialist

Over the years Joy has established a formidable reputation as a family lawyer, specializing in Public Law child care. She acts on behalf of a broad range of clients, including local authorities, parents, businesses, professional people and legally aided clients. Joy has undertaken a number of high-profile cases involving trans-racial placements. In particular, RE B (1997), which also involved child protection issues. This case is now regarded as an authority with regard to bi-racial placements. She has undertaken advisory work for BAAF as an expert on fostering and adoption. She is frequently called upon to give expert evidence in court on African law (Islamic law in particular) relating to children and matrimony.

Common Law & International Common Law

Joy has been called upon to give expert advice on West and East African law and culture in civil cases other than matrimonial. She has also acted in housing matters for both landlords and tenants. She is a consultant to the Legal Alliance consortium of international lawyers on multi-national commercial law. In recent times the consortium has been involved in the privatisation of public utilities in African countries, in particular Nigeria.

Civil & Commercial Disputes

Joy's expertise in this area includes supply and distribution agreements, sale and supply of goods agreement, investment disputes, property disputes, shareholders dispute and commercial arbitration. She also undertakes international work, with a geographic emphasis on Africa and the USA. She is an Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In the UK, she receives instructions to appear in the High Court, county courts and arbitral Joy Okoye - Barrister & Family Law Specialist 13/07/2018 15:26 https://joyokoye.com/ Page 2 of 4 tribunals.

Reported Cases

Jasmine Beckford Inquiry (1985): the first enquiry of its kind to examine child protection issues in detail and also one of the most wide-ranging. Joy represented the foster carers. The enquiry involved numerous child protection agencies, investigating local authority policies and resources with respect to children in care and/or need. A legal landmark, it resulted in local authorities being obliged to overhaul their policies & procedures. Also, for the first time, the issue of trans-racial placements was examined.

Victoria Climbié Inquiry (2001): the most high-profile UK child murder case of recent years. Joy represented the London Borough of Brent. The inquiry led to further reforms to the way in which child protection measures are implemented in the UK, including the creation of a Universal Child Database to keep track of every child in Britain in order to ensure better co-ordination of the information from the multi-disciplinary professionals involved with child protection.

Continental Transfert Ltd v. Federal Government of Nigeria & Ors (2009)

Media, Press & Publications

The Invisible Children TV documentary (Carlton Television, 2002) as an expert in her area of transracial placements of children.
The Guardian, 25 July 2001, Losing Touch, covering west African families who choose to send their children to private white foster mothers.
The Guardian, 18 February 2002, Councils pin blame on suspended social worker

Training

Joy is passionate that, irrespective of status, any party involved in any form of dispute should expect and receive good representation. She volunteers to assist the College of Law in training student barristers. In addition she offers mediation awareness training to corporate and government bodies.

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association (FLBA)
Professional Negligence Bar Association (PNBA)
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
CEDR Exchange Family Mediators Organisation (FMA)

Qualifications & Directorships

BA Law & Business Studies (City Of London University, 1977-80)
Member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (1980)
Barrister-at-law of England & Wales (Bar Vocational, 1980-81)
Nigerian Professional Qualification (Nigerian Law School, 1981-82)
Advocate & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria Accredited Mediator (CEDR) Director - Legal Alliance Corporate Services

Testimonials

Saleem

“The clerks were promptly aware of my requirements and were able to recommend a number of specialist barristers at competitive prices.” “The clerks were promptly aware of my requirements and were able to recommend a number of specialist barristers at competitive prices.” Read more Read less

Ruth Clark

“I called Clerks Room Direct in February and two days later one of their barrister’s Stephen David, was representing me in court. From my first phone call to Rory I felt that I was in safe hands.” “I called Clerks Room Direct in February and two days later one of their barrister’s Stephen David, was representing me in court. From my first phone call to Rory I felt that I was in safe hands.” Read more Read less

Natalie Ryan

“The speed and quality of the service was astounding. I was recommended two extremely qualified, competent experts to discuss my matter with and had a telephone consultation within 24 hours.” “The speed and quality of the service was astounding. I was recommended two extremely qualified, competent experts to discuss my matter with and had a telephone consultation within 24 hours.” Read more Read less

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Contact Joy today
  • Go direct to save on solicitors’ fees
    Go direct to save on solicitors’ fees
  • We’ll find the right barrister for you
    We’ll find the right barrister for you
  • 1000+ barristers: all direct access specialists
    1000+ barristers: all direct access specialists
  • Save up to 42% with fixed costs
    Save up to 42% with fixed costs
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