About
With her “ferocious work ethic and application” Victoria is a highly regarded specialist in children law, particularly child protection cases.
Victoria advises and represents local authorities, parents, relatives and children. A robust, meticulous advocate, she is skilled at running complex cases efficiently and sensitively.
She is ‘Very well-prepared, very good with documents and excellent in cross-examination.’ (Legal 500 2022)
Experience
Having initially practised in criminal, civil and family law, Victoria now practises exclusively in family law and the Court of Protection specialising in the law relating to children. She is particularly experienced in public law cases.
Victoria advises and represents all parties. Known for her empathy and excellent client care, she is careful to promote the needs of vulnerable clients and regularly represents older children directly. Working collaboratively with professional clients, Victoria advises at the earliest stages of a case about experts and disclosure and adopting a problem-solving approach.
The quality of Victoria’s preparation means that she has a forensic knowledge of the papers in her cases and is unflappable when issues arise unexpectedly in court. Her cross examination is precise and deliberate, and she is skilled at running complex cases efficiently and sensitively.
With a strong reputation in child protection cases, Victoria appears at all levels of the Family Court, appears in the High Court both with and without a leader, and has appeared in the Court of Appeal. Victoria recently acted as senior counsel, leading a junior, for a local authority in a complex four-week trial against silks.
Victoria is regularly instructed in the most complex care proceedings, including in cases involving alleged non-accidental injuries (fractures, shaking, bruising), fabricated induced illness, sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation, radicalisation, FGM, and forced marriage.
In private law children matters, Victoria acts in cases involving international issues, such as child abduction and leave to remove applications. She is also instructed where there are serious allegations of domestic abuse requiring fact finding hearings.
Victoria regularly delivers lectures, seminars and training for solicitors and other professionals on matters relation to children’s proceedings.
Instructions on a direct access basis are accepted in suitable cases.
Practice Areas
Private Law Children
Public Law Children
International Family Law
Court of Protection
Local Authority
Education and Professional Membership
Education
BA (Hons) History, University College London
MA in International Relations, University of Essex
Graduate Diploma in Law, College of Law
Bar Vocational Course, College of Law
Professional Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
Association of Lawyers for Children (Executive Board Member)
Inner Temple
Testimonials
“A fearless advocate who delivers cross-examination meticulously.” Legal 500, 2024 Ranked: Tier 2
“A fantastic advocate, who is excellent in her cross-examination and forceful in her submissions. She works incredibly hard on behalf of her clients.” Chambers and Partners, 2023
“Victoria Roberts is very pragmatic, organised and well prepared.” Chambers and Partners 2023
“Victoria is the full package. She is excellent on paper and in her advocacy. She is detailed, thoughtful and skilled in advancing arguments for her clients.” Legal 500 2023
“Her ferocious work ethic and application to the task in hand mean she is always prepared and never flustered, either in court or in outside discussions. She is adaptable and works collaboratively to find solutions. Her perseverance is coupled with a sharp legal mind.” Chambers and Partners 2022
“She is good at the international aspects of complicated cases and is empathetic with clients.” Chambers and Partners 2022
“Very well-prepared, very good with documents and excellent in cross-examination.” Legal 500 2022
“Victoria is ‘prepared for anything.” Legal 500 2021
“Once you have instructed Victoria you can rest assured that your client and the case are in safe hands. Victoria has a forensic knowledge of the papers – she is so thorough and detailed in her approach, that she knows the case inside out.” Legal 500 2021