Victoria Flowers
Call: 2009
"Her cross examination of a very tricky witness was brilliant - among the most sophisticated that I have ever known in 32 years of practice."
Solicitor
Our work covers all areas of family law, with particular expertise in the following areas:
Call: 2009
"Her cross examination of a very tricky witness was brilliant - among the most sophisticated that I have ever known in 32 years of practice."
Solicitor
Victoria is a composed and persuasive family law barrister. She enjoys an established practice across children and financial remedies cases.
Victoria is considerate and empathetic with clients, whilst at the same time providing clear and pragmatic advice. Victoria is an accomplished trial advocate with a strength in cross-examining witnesses whose evidence is key to the outcome of a case. Victoria is frequently instructed in cases raising international issues. She has particular expertise in surrogacy law and the relocation of children both domestically and internationally.
In 2019 Victoria was appointed as a Recorder and she will sit in family. Victoria also sits as a fee-paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal within the Special Educational Needs and Disability jurisdiction.
To instruct Victoria or for more information…
Call: 020 7353 6961
Email: clerks@harcourtchambers.co.uk
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 represented the local authority in this application for a reporting restriction order following care proceedings. Hayden J decided that the mother should be prevented from speaking in the media about any aspect of ‘gender dysphoria or gender identification’ in so far as they related to the child.
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.
Victoria appeared as a junior at first instance in this case concerning the deprivation of liberty of 16 and 17 year olds who lack capacity.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Victoria is able to provide Early Neutral Evaluation for clients, both individually and together with the other party in the case, in private children law cases. She will provide an independent and expert opinion on the merits, which may greatly assist to narrow or resolve issues and avoid protracted litigation. Victoria’s Early Neutral Evaluation advice can be given remotely via video technology as well as in writing.
Victoria is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access Scheme in appropriate circumstances.