Diana Panizzon-Pineda > Chambers of Matthew White > Bristol, England > Barrister Profile

Diana Panizzon-Pineda

Work Department

Family

Career

Call : 2021

Diana specialises in all areas of family law relating to children, including both private and public law proceedings.

Children (Private Law)

Diana is regularly instructed in protracted and intricate private law matters. She appears across all stages of proceedings, from FHDRAs through to final hearings, as well as at fact findings and enforcement hearings.

Diana has significant experience in representing parties in cases involving serious allegations of domestic abuse, substance abuse, mental health issues, parental alienation and implacable hostility. She is also used to dealing with cases that have, or develop, a public law element.

Diana has a particular interest in cases involving complex allegations of domestic abuse, her advocacy in such matters being described as “insightful and powerful” by those instructing her. She has given a talk for the Mexican Consulate on the law regarding domestic abuse, and has translated guidance documents into Spanish on the same.

Children (Public Law)

Diana has a busy public law practice and represents children, parents, and local authorities. She regularly acts in cases where allegations of neglect, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, mental health issues, and drug/alcohol abuse have been made.

Diana has successfully completed the FLBA vulnerable witness training. She is often instructed to represent vulnerable clients, including those with cognitive difficulties who require an intermediary.

Diana takes a keen interest in cases with elements of gender-based violence. She has previously volunteered with Lawyers Without Borders to help train Namibian judiciary and police on addressing gender-based violence in their communities. Her LLM dissertation critically analysed the extent to which family courts can effectively protect potential child victims of FGM, including those with precarious immigration status.

Domestic Abuse and Injunctions

Diana acts for both applicants and respondents in Family Law Act 1996 proceedings, having extensive experience of applications for non-molestation orders and occupation orders. Diana also advises on how such orders can impact upon ongoing or imminent Children Act  proceedings.

 

Education

• University of Bristol – LLB (2.1) 2019
• BPP University, Bristol – LLM (Legal Practice) Barristers, (Distinction in LLM, Very Competent in BPTC) 2020
• Full Exhibition Award BPTC Scholarship – The Inner Temple
• Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award – The Inner Temple
• BPTC Excellence Award – BPP University, Bristol
• BPTC Advocacy Scholarship – BPP University, Bristol
• Joint highest mark for Civil Advocacy across all BPP University centres