Professor Jo Delahunty QC was called to the Bar in 1986, took silk in 2006, became a Recorder in 2009, made a Bencher of Middle Temple in 2011, appointed as Gresham College Professor of Law 2016-2020 (Est.1597), made Emeritus Gresham Professor of Law, Gresham Fellow and a Gresham Trustee in 2020. Jo is nationally and internationally recognised for her award winning work in contentious cases involving complex medical evidence involving catastrophic injuries to/ the death of a child; child sex abuse; ritualized abuse and radicalisation cases. Her clients often have mental health difficulties or serious learning difficulties. She acts by choice and vocation for the most vulnerable members of society. Jo is Ranked as a ‘Leading Silk ‘ / Tier 1 Silk by Chambers and Partners, the Legal 500 and The Experts Directory and features in the industry awards list year by year.
In March 2019 Jo was given the Freedom of the City of London to mark the centenary of 100 years of suffrage in recognition of her contribution to the Law. She was identified as one of Middle Temples '100 women of Distinction' in its celebrations in 2019 celebrating the centenary of a woman's right to be called to the Bar. Behind these markers of success lies an unconventional route to it. Jo is the child of a working class single mother, attended state schools and was the first person in her family to stay in education beyond the age of 16 and to go to university. Jo is a passionate advocate for state school access to further education. She is a member of Speakers For Schools, an Ambassador for Bridging the Bar and Patron of the Association of Women Barristers.
Oral interview available here: