We are delighted to announce that Natasha Shotunde of the Garden Court Chambers Family Law Team has received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Anglia Ruskin University.
Natasha works tirelessly to improve diversity in the legal profession and is co-founder & chair of the Black Barristers' Network, an organisation set up to increase support and visibility for Black barristers. The Black Barristers' Network won 'Outstanding Network/ Group' at the Chambers Europe Awards 2021. Natasha won the Black Solicitor's Network Rising Star Award at UK Diversity Legal Awards 2021. Natasha was also Highly Commended in the 'Future Leader: Diversity and Inclusion' category at last year's Chambers UK Bar Awards.
Natasha is passionate about social mobility and serves on the Bar Council’s Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee. She has been featured in The Times and on Channel 5 News, as well as featuring in the Bar Council’s social mobility campaigns. She also volunteers for the Pupillage Foundation Scheme at Lincoln’s Inn; assisting students seeking pupillage. She also serves on the Race Working Group; the Family Law Bar Association Committee; and on The Lincoln’s Inn Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Natasha was recently appointed a Trustee of AVA, a leading UK charity dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. She has worked to drive change within the family justice system, sitting on the JUSTICE Working Party for Access to Justice for Separating Families.
Natasha predominately specialises in family law. She is highly experienced in representing parties in applications for Forced Marriage Protection Orders and FGM Protection Orders in the High Court and Family Court. She is working on the Dame Linda Dobbs Review and has recently been appointed to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's legal team.
She has represented parents and carers, the Local Authority, and children in public law, private law and international family law proceedings. She has worked with lay clients from diverse backgrounds and vulnerabilities such as learning difficulties and mental health diagnoses.
Natasha has routinely represented parties in private proceedings involving child arrangements orders, prohibited steps orders and specific issue orders. She has also represented parties in applications for non-molestation orders and occupation orders. She has extensive experience in dealing with cases involving domestic abuse and is particularly adept at dealing with cases where there is a cross-over between applications for child arrangements orders, non-molestation orders and occupation orders.
