Harcourt Chambers

Victoria is a specialist family law barrister called in 2009 with a practice in both children and financial remedies, and a particular interest in surrogacy law.

Victoria offers clients in private law disputes specialist and practical advice alongside cogent and persuasive advocacy skills. She regularly appears in intractable contact disputes and cases raising allegations of parental alienation. She has considerable expertise when domestic abuse features, and the sensitive and meticulous approach required.

Victoria is always pleased to assist from an early stage in surrogacy cases which require sensitive and thoughtful preparation. Alongside her court work in surrogacy, she has co-authored a book ‘Surrogacy: Law, Practice and Policy in England Wales’ which is cited in the recent Law Commission consultation paper. Her expertise in surrogacy law and parental order applications has led to her regularly delivering seminars on the topic to legal colleagues.

Victoria has a confident courtroom presence in family finance cases. She provides realistic advice to clients whilst being sensitive to the emotional backdrop of the case. She has a keen eye for detail and is an effective negotiator at FDR. Her advocacy is measured and focused on the results the clients seek to achieve. Her experience in family finance cases includes applications to vary and enforce, and cases raising allegations of serious non-disclosure and conduct.

Victoria has a particular strength in relocation applications and the forensic attention to detail required. She appears in cases involving Hague and non-Hague states, as well as relocation. Her effective cross-examination skills come to the fore in these cases, the outcomes of which will often have a fundamental impact on family life. She brings a focused and thoughtful approach and is always pleased to be involved from the initial stages to assist with the strategic direction of these cases.

Victoria is a knowledgeable and established practitioner in public children law. She appears for children through their guardians, parents from all corners of society, local authorities and other intervening parties. She offers empathetic but realistic advice. She brings skilful cross-examination of witnesses, including experts, to these acutely difficult cases. She has appeared in proceedings raising issues of significant gravity, including fabricated or induced illness, non-accidental injury, and sexual abuse. Victoria regularly works with vulnerable clients and those with mental health difficulties and has completed advocacy and the vulnerable training.

Victoria has a keen interest in the welfare aspects of Court of Protection work, and can bring her expertise in children law to this closely related area. Victoria has co-authored a book ‘Dementia and the Law’ and her contributions included the chapter on remedies in the Court of Protection.

Family Law Bar Association 

Victoria has a BA in Jurisprudence (Law with Law Studies in Europe) from Jesus College, Oxford University.