Jessica joined Bolt Burdon Kemp in January 2019 and is a Senior Associate in the Abuse department.
Since qualifying in 2012 she has specialised in representing survivors of sexual abuse.
She represents adults and children who have suffered sexual abuse in childhood and has successfully brought cases against a variety of institutions including schools, local authorities, the Scout Association, hospitals, religious organisations and high profile individuals. More recently she has gained particular experience acting in claims against the cadets (Army cadets, Sea Cadets and the Air Cadets) including negotiating a £480,000 settlement. She has represented a number of groups of claimants in claims against the same abuser having previously worked on the Jimmy Savile child sexual abuse litigation. She has pursued claims against the Sea Cadets for over 35 survivors in their claims relating to abuse by Peter Sherwin and also lead the campaign to have Sherwin’s MBE remove posthumously, leading to a statement being issued in February 2024 to say that Sherwin would have been subject to forfeiture proceedings if he had been convicted in his lifetime.
Jessica is passionate about representing survivors of abuse she does and has been noted as a key lawyer in the 2022 Legal 500 which states “Jessica Standley has excellent people skills – nothing was ever too much trouble and she made me feel at ease throughout the whole process of my claim,” and she regularly receives excellent client care feedback from her clients.
She is dedicated to supporting her clients throughout the civil claims process and strives to get the best results whilst making the process as easy as it can be for her clients.
As an expert, Jessica has appeared in the media to provide her comments on developments in child abuse law including appearing on the news and providing comment to a number of publications
Jessica is also a keen runner and has run multiple marathons and ultra-marathons including completing 10 marathons in 10 countries to raise funds for Wheelpower and the National Association for People Abused in Childhood.
She is also member of the Victims Reference Group formed by the London Victims’ Commissioner which helps to ensure victims’ voices are heard.
Professional Memberships
- Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Association of Child Abuse Lawyers
- Victims Reference Group
