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Jessica enjoys a broad practice across all areas of Chambers’ work with a particular focus on personal injury, disease, clinical negligence and inquests.

She acts for both claimants and defendants and regularly appears in Fast Track and Multi Track matters, including in high-value and complex cases. Her experience includes multi-day trials involving contested oral expert evidence. She is recognised for her meticulous attention to detail, thorough preparation, and confident cross-examination.

Notable recent instructions include appearing in the Court of Appeal in Wetherell v Student Loans Company [2026] EWCA Civ 645 for the successful appellant (led by Tom Carter).

Jessica graduated from Downing College, University of Cambridge, with a double first-class degree in Law and was graded Outstanding on the Bar Professional Training Course at Nottingham Law School.

Jessica has received numerous academic awards and scholarships, including an Exhibition Scholarship and the Allan Levy Award from the Inner Temple, together with the Senior Harris Scholarship from Downing College, Cambridge. She won the University of Law National

Mooting Competition in 2015 and was a semi-finalist in the Oxford French Law Mooting Competition in 2013.

Jessica speaks fluent French (certified C2 level) and conversational German.

Outside practice, Jessica is a keen surfer and enjoys racketlon and volunteering at her local church.

Areas of Expertise
  • Personal Injury

    Jessica has a busy personal injury practice, acting for both claimants and defendants across Fast Track and Multi Track proceedings. Jessica provides pragmatic advice at all stages of litigation from pre-action through to trial.

  • Disease

    Jessica is regularly instructed in industrial disease claims on behalf of claimants and defendants.

    She has experience of noise-induced hearing loss matters at all stages of litigation, from drafting pleadings and conducting conferences with experts, to application hearings and trials, including multi-day trials with contested oral expert evidence.

    Jessica recently acted for the successful appellant in Wetherell v Student Loans Company [2026] EWCA Civ 645 (led by Tom Carter), a claim relating to noise-induced tinnitus.

    Jessica is part of the Ropewalk Chambers’ Disease Blog Editorial Group and is a regular contributor to the Disease Blog.

  • Clinical Negligence

    Jessica’s careful attention to detail and ability to digest complex factual and legal issues are attributes which particularly lend themselves to clinical negligence matters. Jessica has experience in a range of clinical negligence matters, ranging from loss of a chance to delayed diagnosis.

  • Inquests

    Jessica welcomes instructions from families and other interested parties. She is willing to accept instructions on a pro bono or conditional fee basis where appropriate. Notable recent cases include representing the family at an inquest into the death of a woman who died from complications arising seven years after an endometrial ablation procedure, resulting in a finding of neglect.

  • Counter Fraud

    Jessica is regularly instructed on behalf of defendants in cases where fraud or fundamental dishonesty are in issue. She has successfully secured findings of fundamental dishonesty in multiple cases ranging from road traffic accidents to employer’s liability matters. Jessica’s meticulous approach to identifying inconsistencies and her attention to detail are particularly conducive to this area.

    Notable recent cases include a low-velocity impact claim brought by six claimants (of which three were minors) where all six claimants discontinued after cross-examination.

    Jessica is also experienced in advising claimants in conference where fundamental dishonesty has been raised. She has regularly acted for the successful claimant in resisting allegations of fundamental dishonesty.

  • Credit Hire

    Jessica is regularly instructed in credit hire claims by both claimants and defendants.

    In a recent case, acting on behalf of the Defendant, Jessica secured the dismissal of a claim for credit hire charges after the Claimant’s contract was found to be unenforceable by reason of misrepresentation.  The Claimant was ordered to repay an interim payment and to pay the Defendant’s costs.

  • Animals & Equine

    Jessica has been involved at all stages of litigation in a wide range of cases involving animals from successfully defending in a veterinary negligence claim to horse-riding accidents to Animals Act claims.

About
  • Qualifications

    • MA (Cantab) Law, University of Cambridge (Double First Class)
    • BPTC, Nottingham Law School (Outstanding)

Blogs

22 May 2026

The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in Wetherell v Student Loans Company Ltd [2026] EWCA Civ 645, where...

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25 Nov 2025

Earlier this year, the Outer House of Scotland’s Court of Session handed down judgment in Gough v Cannons Law Practice...

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25 May 2023

On 9 May 2023, Ritchie J sitting in the High Court handed down judgment in Woodcock v Chief Constable of...

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20 Jan 2022

On 14 January 2022, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Aviva Insurance Ltd & Anor v Secretary of...

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20 Oct 2021

The High Court recently considered the meaning of ‘trespassers’ and the relevance of a person’s state of mind and intention...

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17 Jun 2021

On 27 November 2020, the High Court handed down judgment in James West v Joseph Olakanpo [2020] EWHC 3830 (QB)...

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Webinars

17th Mar 2021 @ 14:00

Presented by Alex Denton, Jessica Woodliffe and Abigail Scott, this webinar provides a whistle-stop tour of the most significant and interesting cases in 2020...

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