Victoria has been a specialist family practitioner for many years, having previously also practised in criminal law. She has appeared at all levels of tribunal and against both junior and leading counsel. In public law children cases, Victoria has experience of dealing with cases in which there are the most serious allegations of harm to children. In the private law sphere, Victoria will often deal with cases involving complex family dynamics, where there are allegations of abusive behaviour and/or alienation, and what appear to be intractable issues. Her cases also often involve an international element.
Victoria represents parents, Guardians and local authorities in all public law proceedings. She has experience in dealing with cases where there are the most serious allegations including sexual harm, non-accidental injury, factitious or induced injury and FGM.
Cases of interest include:
- Local Authority v EF [2023] EWFC 178; representing the father in proceedings where the mother had made numerous serious false allegations him.
- Re E (Care Proceedings: Welfare determination) [2021] EWFC 52; Re E (Care Proceedings: Fact-Finding Hearing) [2020] EWFC 24; and Re E (A Child: Questioning of Vulnerable Witness) [2019] EWHC 3808 (Fam); representing the local authority in long running and complex care proceedings in the High Court, following abduction proceedings.
- Re X (A Child) (Female Genital Mutilation Protection Order : Restrictions on Travel) [2018] EWCA Civ 1825 ; representing the Guardian at first instance and in the Court of Appeal, in proceedings where a local authority sought a FGM protection order.
- Re PC (A Child) (Brussels II Revised: Jurisdiction with United Kingdom) [2013] EWHC 2336 (Fam); representing the mother on an application to transfer care proceedings to Scotland.
Victoria deals with all private law proceedings, including applications for child arrangements, relocation (both within the UK and internationally), and in relation to specific issues such as education. Victoria has particular expertise representing parents in the more complex cases, and those where there are serious allegations, and a crossover into public law proceedings.
Cases of interest include:
- F1, F2 v M1, M2, X County Council, A, B (by her Guardian) [2013] EWHC 4150 (Fam); representing one of the mothers in highly complex private law proceedings between male same-sex partners (‘the fathers’), and female same-sex-partners (‘the mothers’).
Victoria represents both parents and children in these international cases.
Cases of interest include:
- D v E [2023] EWHC 1941 (Fam)
- FB v MG [2022] EWHC 2677 (Fam)
- CA v KA [2019] EWHC 1347
- E (A Child) (Abduction: Article 13B: Deferred Return Order) [2019] EWHC 256 (Fam)
Victoria accepts direct access instructions in private law children cases.
Victoria has been qualified as a mediator since 2011. She mediates in both children and financial cases.
Reputation & Awards
'She has a wonderful manner with clients and is well-prepared and listens to her clients, and effectively delivers arguments.’
Legal 500, 2024
‘Victoria is an effective communicator and a persuasive and powerful advocate’ – Legal 500, 2025
‘Victoria is a skilled advocate with an abundance of knowledge of international children’s matters. She has a wonderful manner with clients and is well-prepared and listens to her clients, and effectively delivers arguments.’ – Legal 500, 2024
‘Victoria is an excellent communicator and advocate. Her advice is clear and robust, and she clearly listens to her clients and articulate their cases really well. Her written work is detailed and thorough and provides detailed feedback quickly following hearings. She is a safe pair of hands on very complex and challenging cases.’ – Legal 500, 2023
‘She is a safe pair of hands on very complex and challenging cases.’ – Legal 500, 2023