| Equine Law has such diverse issues. | | | | administration of the drug were also hotly disputed. |
| The Olympics in 2012 are looming and there is much to | | | | The learned judge found that the drug had been |
| do to make sure they run as smoothly as possible. | | | | administered dishonestly and that its presence had |
| One of the area that will throw-up contentious | | | | masked the horse's conditions of bone spavin and |
| scenarios is that of Equine Law. | | | | shivering which were otherwise likely to have been |
| So who will those teams turn too for advice. | | | | detected at the time of the veterinary examination. |
| They are sure to have their own legal team but it | | | | Jane is a member of the following professional |
| would make sound sense to have a UK Legal | | | | associations: |
| representative too. | | | | - Equine and Animal Lawyers Association |
| It would seem logical, so having looked through the | | | | - Professional Negligence Bar Association |
| internet for some equine advice myself I found an | | | | - Personal Injury Bar Association |
| Equine law firm who seem to cater for a whole range | | | | |
| of Equine legal matters. | | | | Landmark Cases: |
| The person who heads up the site is called Jane | | | | Amongst her landmark cases, Jane Bennett |
| Bennett, let's take a look at her pedigree. | | | | successfully acted as Counsel for Mrs Spencer in the |
| Jane Bennet: | | | | case of Spencer v Hance reported in the Horse |
| Jane has ridden all her life and has a particular passion | | | | & Hound in November 2006. The case involved |
| for eventing. She won her first one day event at the | | | | the sale of a horse which had been administered with |
| age of 9! Jane was a Master of the Cambridge | | | | phenylbutazone (bute) by the seller prior to a 5-stage |
| University Drag Hounds for the 1998-99 season and | | | | veterinary pre-purchase examination. During the 2-day |
| has also competed in the National Open Team | | | | trial in the Oxford County Court, conflicting veterinary |
| Chasing Finals. Jane is a member of BE, the BSJA and | | | | evidence was heard as to the possible effects of the |
| BD. She is married to a professional event rider and | | | | drug on the horse at the time of the examination. The |
| former men's open point-to-point winner. They have | | | | circumstances surrounding the administration of the |
| two daughters. | | | | drug were also hotly disputed. The Court found that |
| Career History: | | | | the drug had been administered dishonestly and that its |
| MA(Hons) (Cantab) - Barrister-at-Law. Jane was | | | | presence had masked the horse pre-existing |
| called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 2000. She | | | | conditions of bone spavin and shivering which were |
| completed pupillage and accepted tenancy at 12 Kings | | | | otherwise likely to have been detected at the time of |
| Bench Walk (Chambers of Richard Methuen QC) in | | | | the veterinary examination. The Defendant was |
| London. Subsequently she moved to Nottingham and | | | | ordered to pay damages to Mrs Spencer in addition to |
| was a tenant at Ropewalk Chambers for 5 years. | | | | paying both parties legal costs. |
| Thereafter Jane started a family and decided to move | | | | Jane contributes monthly articles on issues arising in |
| in-house. She was appointed Head of Equine Law at | | | | her specialist field to Equestrian Life Magazine. She |
| Bridge McFarland in October 2008. | | | | has also been invited to speak at the National Equine |
| Jane successfully acted as Counsel for the Claimant in | | | | Law Conference in February 2009. |
| Spencer v Hance (reported in Horse and Hound on 2 | | | | Seems pretty impressive, but what does the company |
| November 2006). The case involved the sale of a | | | | details say? |
| horse which had been administered with | | | | Having many years experience within the sector |
| phenlybutazone ('bute') by the seller prior to a 5-stage | | | | positions us perfectly to take on a complete range of |
| veterinary pre-purchase examination. During the 3-day | | | | Equine law issues and handle them quickly and with |
| trial before HHJ Harris QC in the Oxford County Court | | | | professionalism. |
| conflicting veterinary evidence was heard as to the | | | | We talk a clients talk. Issues are understood first time |
| possible effects of the drug on the horse at the time | | | | and this is of paramount importance to make the right |
| of the examination. The circumstances surrounding the | | | | choices with the minimum amount of fuss. |