Having many years experience within the sector positions us perfectly to take on a complete range of Equine law issues and handle them quickly and with professionalism.
We talk a clients talk. Issues are understood first time and this is of paramount importance to make the right choices with the minimum amount of fuss.
Equine Law Direct is Headed up by Barrister Jane Bennett.
Let us take a look at Janes' Equestrian heratage.
Jane has ridden all her life and has a particular passion for eventing. She won her first one day event at the age of 9! Jane was a Master of the Cambridge University Drag Hounds for the 1998-99 season and has also competed in the National Open Team Chasing Finals. Jane is a member of BE, the BSJA and BD.
Career History:
MA(Hons) (Cantab) - Barrister-at-Law. Jane was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 2000. She completed pupillage and accepted tenancy at 12 Kings Bench Walk (Chambers of Richard Methuen QC) in London. Subsequently she moved to Nottingham and was a tenant at Ropewalk Chambers for 5 years. Thereafter Jane started a family and decided to move in-house. She was appointed Head of Equine Law at Bridge McFarland in October 2008.
Jane successfully acted as Counsel for the Claimant in Spencer v Hance (reported in Horse and Hound on 2 November 2006). The case involved the sale of a horse which had been administered with phenlybutazone ('bute') by the seller prior to a 5-stage veterinary pre-purchase examination. During the 3-day trial before HHJ Harris QC in the Oxford County Court conflicting veterinary evidence was heard as to the possible effects of the drug on the horse at the time of the examination. The circumstances surrounding the administration of the drug were also hotly disputed. The learned judge found that the drug had been administered dishonestly and that its presence had masked the horse's conditions of bone spavin and shivering which were otherwise likely to have been detected at the time of the veterinary examination.
Jane is a member of the following professional associations:
- Equine and Animal Lawyers Association
- Professional Negligence Bar Association
- Personal Injury Bar Association
Landmark Case:
Amongst her landmark cases, Jane Bennett successfully acted as Counsel for Mrs Spencer in the case of Spencer v Hance reported in the Horse & Hound in November 2006. The case involved the sale of a horse which had been administered with phenylbutazone (‘bute’) by the seller prior to a 5-stage veterinary pre-purchase examination. During the 2-day trial in the Oxford County Court, conflicting veterinary evidence was heard as to the possible effects of the drug on the horse at the time of the examination. The circumstances surrounding the administration of the drug were also hotly disputed. The Court found that the drug had been administered dishonestly and that its presence had masked the horse’s pre-existing conditions of bone spavin and shivering which were otherwise likely to have been detected at the time of the veterinary examination. The Defendant was ordered to pay damages to Mrs Spencer in addition to paying both parties’ legal costs.
Jane contributes monthly articles on issues arising in her specialist field to Equestrian Life Magazine. She has also been invited to speak at the National Equine Law Conference in February 2009.
When we say we have a passion for Equestrian Law - we mean it.