Natasha Shotunde

Year of Call: 2013

Natasha specialises in public inquiries and family law, with significant expertise in private and public law children matters and international family law cases.

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Natasha has a wide-ranging practice encompassing family law and public inquiries. She is highly experienced in private and public law children matters and international family law cases. She has significant expertise in representing parties in applications for Forced Marriage Protection Orders and FGM Protection Orders in the High Court and Family Court.

Natasha has worked on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and is currently instructed on the Dame Linda Dobbs Review and the Covid-19 Inquiry.

Natasha is committed to human rights and protecting the rights of individuals. Natasha has previous experience in crime, extradition, regulatory and civil matters.

Natasha is an Associate Lecturer at Goldsmith's University. 

In July 2022, Natasha was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Anglia Ruskin University.

Family Law

Overview

Natasha predominately specialises in family law. She has represented parents and carers, the Local Authority, and children in public law, private law and international family law proceedings. She has previous experience in crime, extradition, regulatory and civil matters. She is also currently working on the Dame Linda Dobbs Review.

Natasha has regularly appeared in care proceedings representing local authorities and parents. She has worked with lay clients from diverse backgrounds and vulnerabilities such as learning difficulties and mental health diagnoses. She is particularly skilled at assisting vulnerable clients in participating in proceedings and has worked with intermediaries. Natasha has acted in care proceedings involving allegations around FGM and Forced Marriage. She has also acted in a case involving an injunction to stop a party from posting details of care proceedings in the public domain. 

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. Her background in crime and professional negligence has made her skilled at cross-examining alleged victims and perpetrators, as well as dealing with vulnerable witnesses and sensitive issues.

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International Family Law

Overview

Natasha’s international family law practice includes child abduction and child relocation cases. Natasha is highly experienced in representing parties in applications for Forced Marriage Protection Orders and FGM Protection Orders in the High Court and Family Court. This includes representing parties who are making applications on behalf of Persons to be Protected. She has represented parties in standalone applications, as well as linked care proceedings. She has particular knowledge of Forced Marriage and FGM and asylum, having focused on this subject academically.

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Court of Protection

Overview

Natasha has an interest in Court of Protection cases through her experience of representing vulnerable clients in family proceedings, and is developing a practice in this area.

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Pro Bono

Overview

Natasha has provided pro bono advisory and advocacy services through Advocate (formerly known as the Bar Pro Bono Unit). She has previously received a Certificate of Recognition for her pro bono work, and was nominated “Hero Barrister of the Week” by Advocate on Twitter in June 2019.

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Inquests and Inquiries

Overview

Natasha has extensive experience of working on high-profile inquiries since 2017.

Natasha has worked on the Grenfell Inquiry and the Dame Linda Dobbs Review. She is currently instructed in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Natasha is keen to accept instructions from core participants involved in inquests and inquiries.

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Natasha Shotunde

Notable Cases & News

Background

Natasha is a member of Lincoln’s Inn, having received the Lord Denning Scholarship (2012), Hardwicke Entrance Award (2012) and Sunley Scholarship (2014).

Prior to joining Garden Court Chambers, Natasha was a tenant at 5 St Andrew’s Hill at which she had a mixed practice and worked for the Grenfell Inquiry.

Natasha undertook an LLM at University College London while practising at the Bar, with a focus on international law and human rights, to compliment her practice.

Natasha is passionate about social mobility. She has been an active Social Mobility Advocate for the Bar Council, for which she has written articles and attended various careers events, some of which have been recorded, published or live streamed. She has featured in The Times and on Channel 5 News, as well as featuring in the Bar Council’s social mobility video. She also volunteers for the Pupillage Foundation Scheme at Lincoln’s Inn, assisting students seeking pupillage.

Natasha is committed to improving the working lives of people within the profession and has created the Black Barristers’ Network to increase support and visibility for black barristers.

Other media appearances include Sky News where she discussed the Charlie Gard case in 2017.

Education

BPTC: Kaplan Law School, Very Competent

LLB: University of Reading, 2:1

LLM International Law: University College London, Distinction

Professional Memberships

Co-founder and Chair of the Black Barristers’ Network

Committee member of Bar Council (elected)

Committee member of the Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee of the Bar Council

Social Mobility Advocate for the Bar Council 2018

Committee Member of the Family Law Bar Association (co-opted)

JUSTICE Working Party on Improving Access to Justice for Separating Families

Child Abduction Lawyers Association

Association of Lawyers for Children

South Eastern Circuit

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