No5 Barristers’ Chambers boasts ‘an excellent range of counsel with formidable knowledge’, and one such practitioner is Stefano Nuvoloni KC, who has ’a thorough and complete knowledge of children’s matters,‘ and predominantly focuses on public children law cases surrounding the most serious of allegations, including the murder of children and parents, as well as fabricated or induced illnesses. Kristina Brown is especially notable in Children Act cases; she has a significantly varied practice that encompasses cases regarding sexual abuse, surrogacy, neglect, and child trafficking, and she is lauded as ’a wonderfully engaging advocate who is highly respected by judges and opponents’. Victoria Clifford regularly appears before the High Court and is also highly experienced in cases regarding child trafficking, as well as sexual exploitation, brain injuries, and fractures. ‘Formidable advocate’ Kirsty Gallacher is particularly skilled in handling cases concerning catastrophic brain injuries to children, while for Orla Grant, FGM protection orders and terrorism-related cases are an area of expertise; across the public and private law spheres, she is instructed by local authorities, parents and extended family members, children, and prospective adopters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Profile

Position

Kristina specialises in Children Act cases, appearing at all levels of the family court including the Court of Appeal. She undertakes first instance hearings and appeals and regularly appears in the High Court. Kristina has a particular interest in Public Law cases and represents Local Authorities, parents, extended family members and children acting either through their Guardian or who have separate representation by their own solicitor. She has significant experience in care cases including child death, inflicted injuries, sexual abuse, surrogacy, child trafficking, chronic neglect and in representing parents and children with serious psychological difficulties, including a history of self harming and acting for parents with compromised functioning, including where the Official Solicitor is involved. Kristina’s practice also includes private law cases which move into the public law arena, such as in a situation of alleged parental alienation.

Kristina's experience also covers the full range of Private Law applications, with a particular interest in intractable disputes, involving the appointment of Rule 16.4 Guardians. She deals with complex child arrangements applications including cases involving serious domestic abuse, complicated psychological evidence internal relocation of children and applications to remove children from the jurisdiction.

Kristina has an established reputation for tactical preparation, forensic analysis of complex medical evidence and excellent client care. She is known for her sensitive, down-to-earth yet robust attitude.

Other aspects of Kristina's practice include presenting lectures and training seminars to solicitors, local authorities and other child protection professionals. Since 2017, Kristina has been an Honorary Professor of Law at the University of Winchester.

Notable Cases:

RE W (A CHILD) (INFLICTED INJURY) (DELAY) [2024] EWCA CIV 418

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL V M & ORS [2023] EWHC 3312 (FAM) (12 DECEMBER 2023)

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL V MOTHER & ORS [2022] EWFC 125 (10 AUGUST 2022)

RE ABC (CHILDREN: OVERLAYING CHILD) [2020] EWFC 57

RE CTD (A CHILD: REHEARING) [2020] EWCA CIV 1316

P (SEXUAL ABUSE: FINDING OF FACT HEARING) [2019] EWFC 27 (01 MAY 2019)

A LOCAL AUTHORITY V AB AND OTHERS [2019] EWFC 75

RE (1) K (2) T (3) U (PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH KINSHIP CARERS ABROAD) SUB NOM BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL V (1) W (2) Q (3) K, T AND U (BY THEIR CHILDREN’S GUARDIAN) (2019) EWFC 59

LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL V AB (BY HER LITIGATION FRIEND, THE OFFICIAL SOLICITOR), CD, EF, GH (CHILDREN THROUGH THEIR CHILDREN’S GUARDIAN), IJ V KL [2018] EWFC 58

Re X (A child) No. 2 [2016] EWFC 55 (11 November 2016)

Re X (A child) [2016] EWFC 54 (8 November 2016)

T (A Child: fact finding) [2014] EWFC B115 (12 September)

RE W (A CHILD) (PROPORTIONALITY OF INTERIM CARE ORDER) [2014] EWCA CIV 772, [2014] 3 F.C.R. 339, [2014] FAM. LAW 1235

RE M (A CHILD) (CARE AND PLACEMENT ORDERS: GUARDIAN’S EVIDENCE) [2014] EWCA CIV 226, [2015] 1 F.C.R. 359, [2014] FAM. LAW 776

RE B (A Child) (Medical Treatment) [2008] EWHC 1996 (Fam) [2009] 1 F.L.R. 1264 | [2009] LS Law Medical 214,
[2009] Fam. Law 397

Re: B (A Minor) [2009] 1 FLR 1264; [2009] LS Law Medical 214

Career

Called 1998; Gray’s Inn.

Languages

Spanish.

Memberships

Family Law Bar Association Midland Circuit Resolution Association of Lawyers for Children Midland Circuit

Education

Westholme School, Lancashire
LL.B (Hons.) (Dunelm) Trevelyan College, Durham University;
Leonard Sainer Legal Education Foundation Award Scholar;
Gray's Inn; Called 1998

Content supplied by No5 Barristers’ Chambers

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Clerks are all very helpful. A go-to is Adam Wadley, who knows his team well and can make appropriate suggestions for a particular case.'
  • 'Always excellent service from the clerks, in particular Adam Wadley.'
  • 'Adam Wadley and Clare Radburn are superb.'
  • 'The clerks are exceptional, but in particular, Adam Wadley always goes above and beyond to try to assist.'
  • 'Great clerks, Clare Radburn in particular.'
  • 'Adam Wadley leads the team really well.'
  • 'Excellent service from No 5 chambers. They respond quickly and are well prepared. Adam Wadley in particular is very experienced and will work hard to resolve difficulties.'
  • 'Claire Radburn and Adam Wadley are excellent.'