Jessica Boyd
- Called to Bar:
- 2007
- Practice areas:
- Degrees:
- MA Hons (Cantab), Philosophy, (Double Starred First), PhD, Philosophy, Princeton University, Diploma in Law, City University, (Distinction), Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law, (Outstanding)
- Languages:
-
Arabic ,
French
and
German (some knowledge)
Jessica was taken on as a tenant at Blackstone Chambers in September 2008 following the successful completion of her 12-month pupillage. Her pupil supervisors were Andrew Hunter, Jane Collier, Javan Herberg, and Tom Croxford.
During pupillage Jessica acquired experience in a range of courts and tribunals, including county courts, employment tribunals, the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
Public Law and Human Rights
Jess has acted as junior counsel in a number of high profile Public Law cases since she started practice and is junior counsel for one of the Claimants in ongoing litigation against the Government by former British detainees of Guantanamo Bay. She has also acted for appellants in a number of immigration appeals, and has represented claimants in the Upper Tribunal (in a matter relating to child support) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Tribunal. She has done a lot of drafting and advisory work for public law claimants and respondents.
Current and recent work
- R (Equitable Members Action Group) v HM Treasury [2009] EWHC 2495
Acted as junior to Dinah Rose QC and Javan Herberg for former Equitable Life pension holders in a successful judicial review of the Government’s Response to the Ombudsman’s Inquiry into the collapse of Equitable Life. - R (March) v Secretary of State for Health [2010] EWHC 765
Acted with Michael Fordham QC for a haemophilia sufferer who contracted HIV and hepatitis C from an NHS blood transfusion, in a successful judicial review of the Government’s decision not to award compensation at a level equivalent to Ireland. - R (Law Society of England and Wales) v The Lord Chancellor [2010] EWHC 1406
Acted as junior to Dinah Rose QC and Javan Herberg in a successful judicial review of the Government’s new scheme for awarding costs in criminal cases. - Al Rawi & Ors v Security Service & Ors [2010] EWCA Civ 482
Acted as junior to John Howell for the interveners, Liberty and Justice, in the Court of Appeal, on the preliminary issue of whether the Court has power to order a “closed procedure” with use of secret evidence.
Employment
Jess frequently represents both claimants and respondents in the Employment Tribunal, in unfair and wrongful dismissal and discrimination claims.
Commercial
Jess has a wide ranging commercial law practice, which has included drafting and advisory work in relation to international trade, insurance and oil refineries. She appears frequently in the County Court in small scale commercial matters.
Regulatory
Jess spent three months seconded to Ofgem at the beginning of her practice and has since advised and/or acted for Ofgem, Ofcom, the Health Professions Council and the BBC. She is currently instructed by Ofcom in ongoing proceedings in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Sport
Sport, Media & Entertainment
As Andrew Hunter’s pupil, Jessica was involved in a number of sports and media cases. These included ongoing disputes between McLaren and the FIA in relation to the Brazilian Grand Prix and the conduct of an investigation into McLaren’s 2008 car, a breach of contract claim by a football agent against a player, and a number of disputes relating to copyright.
Other relevant experience
Scholarships and Prizes:
- College Scholarship (Clare College, Cambridge)
- Greene Cup for General Learning (Clare College, Cambridge)
- Kennedy Scholarship (Harvard University)
- Graduate Prize Fellowship at the Centre for Human Values (Princeton University)
- Princess Royal Scholarship (CPE year) (Inner Temple)
- Peter Taylor Scholarship (BVC year) (Inner Temple)
