Joanne is a Partner in the Family Department, specialising in divorce and financial matters.

She graduated from the University of Reading before reading Law at the College of Law in Guildford.

Joanne joined Osbornes in 2013 from a notable firm in Surrey, where she developed an enviable client base throughout the Home Counties. Since joining Osbornes she has further expanded her client base and network, building an enviable reputation within her peer group – all of which helped Joanne achieve one of our quickest promotions to Partner in 2017.

Practicing in London has enabled her to focus on an area where she excels; financial disputes of high net worth individuals, often involving sophisticated international property portfolios and complex trust arrangements. Her case load typically includes financial cases where there is an international element and she regularly represents clients from all over the world; notably Europe, Russia, Malaysia and the Middle East.

Joanne also regularly works on high profile cases, including those in the public eye and represented Mrs Mills in the Supreme Court in June 2018.
She was a recognised in the Legal 500 as a rising star and was said to be “going places”. Peers say she is a “very approachable and sensible opponent”. She regularly provides commentary on family law issues and has been interviewed on Talk Radio and Sky News.

Joanne also deals with both domestic and international children disputes such as Child Arrangements, which requires a great deal of sensitivity. Joanne also has a reputation for her success in representing both parents wishing to move and parents wanting to remain in international relocation cases.

She is a strong advocate of alternative dispute resolution in the right circumstances and effectively pursues settlements through other avenues such as a mediation and round table meetings before commencing litigation. This is reflected in Joanne’s membership of Resolution and she is presently working towards specialist accreditation.

Recent articles

Mills v Mills: The consequences of ill advised financial decisions published by Family Law.

Owens v Owens: when unreasonable behaviour is not unreasonable behaviour published by Family Law.

What the directories say

“She is very approachable and sensible opponent”.
Legal 500 2019

“Joanne Wescott is a rising star and going places, and features as a next generation lawyer”
Legal 500 2018

What clients say about Joanne

‘Joanne Wescott represented me during my divorce. I can’t praise her enough. She was incredibly diligent, helpful, careful and above professional. Joanne shielded expertly from the messy, stressful parts of the divorce process which I am eternally grateful.’

‘Quite simply Joanne was fantastic. Her careful, considering, intelligent approach ensured an outcome that I could not have been happier with’.

‘I cannot thank Joanne enough for the immense effort, unfailing dedication and long hours she put into my case, as well as the kindness she showed throughout.’

Outside of work Joanne enjoys travelling and diving but closer to home she enjoys riding her horse.