Natalia Levine

Children: Public Law

Natalia undertakes a wide range of public law children work at an exceptionally high standard. As an “accomplished advocate who is strong on her feet” [Legal 500, Child Law, 2023] she routinely appears in public law proceedings in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Those who instruct her regularly comment on Natalia’s abilities as a “strategic thinker”, “looking at the end result we want to achieve” [Legal 500] and the fact that she “comes up with innovative and practical suggestions to move the case forward” [Chambers UK Bar].

Her legal acumen, combined with her excellent relationship-building skills, makes her a popular choice with clients and professional colleagues.

Areas of expertise:

• Complex and near fatal multiple injuries
• Non-accidental injuries
• Adoption
• Sexual Abuse
• Fabricated/induced illness
• Alleged suffocation
• Chronic neglect
• Changes in placement
• Adoption
• Non-accidental head injury
• Parents with disabilities
• Cases involving cross examination of a vulnerable child or adult
• Foreign adoption
• Placement outside the jurisdiction
• Cases involving deprivation of liberty
• Cases involving a cross over or transfer to the Court of Protection 

Recent cases have included:

• Representation of a mother lacking capacity in a case where the local authority were originally applying for care and placement orders. Ultimately the child remained with the mother under a care order.
• Representation of an intervenor in proceedings involving allegations of sexual abuse and the possibility of fomite transmission.
• Representation of a local authority in proceedings involving allegations of historical sexual abuse.
• Representation of a mother in a case involving allegations of non accidental injury including a head injury.
• Representation of a father in a case alleging sexual abuse against his child.
• Representation of the children in a case involving non accidental injuries including rib fractures and bite marks.

Children: Private Law

Natalia has a thriving national private children law practice which sees her instructed by many of the leading firms and individuals specialising in this often demanding area of law. She is considered as being “articulate, intelligent and fierce on her feet”.  [Legal 500, Children and Domestic Violence, 2025].

Over the years she has represented a diverse range of clients through a variety of children law disputes, including specific issues around relocation, parental alienation, and medical treatment.

Many of the cases she is instructed on involve complex medical evidence relating to non-accidental injury, addiction, or mental health issues. Her ability to quickly grasp complex evidence and craft persuasive legal argument is what sets her apart.

Areas of expertise:

• Finding of fact hearings
• External and internal relocation
• International abduction cases
• PD12J cases
• Proportionate use of prohibited steps orders
• Wardship
• Child Arrangement Orders
• Adoption
• Surrogacy cases
• Enforcement proceedings
• Special Guardianship orders

Recent cases have included:

• Application to relocate internally within the North East of England
• Application to relocate to Europe
• Alleged wrongful removal to Australia
• Representing the mother in a finding of fact hearing involving allegations of rape and domestic abuse
• Representing the father in a finding of fact hearing involving alienating behaviours
• Specific issue order regarding change of school
• Representing a mother in a finding of fact regarding cross allegations of coercive and controlling behaviour
• Representing a father in an application for a child arrangement order against the recommendations of CAFCASS
• Representing a mother in her application against a relocation application

Health and Social Care

Natalia regularly advises and appears on behalf of public authorities and individuals in relation to health and social care disputes. Natalia’s expertise spans across several areas, such as disputes relating to the provision of care or services under the Care Act 2014, the Children Act 1989 and the Mental Health Act 1983.

Natalia’s expertise as a barrister specialising in both Court of Protection and care proceedings is hugely beneficial given the knowledge overlap, particularly in relation to proper Care Act Assessments.

Judicial review

Natalia is often instructed to advise in relation to Age Assessments both pre proceedings and during proceedings.

Recent cases have included:

• Advising a local authority in respect of their conduct of an age assessment and whether the minded to process has been adhered to
• Drafting facts and grounds on behalf of a Claimant
• Drafting the grounds of defence
• Representing the Claimant at a permission hearing
• Representing the Defendant at a permission hearing
• Representing the Defendant in the Upper Tribunal

Inherent Jurisdiction / Medical Treatment

Natalia has been involved in some very complex cases involving the use of the inherent jurisdiction to protect vulnerable young adults in particular where questions arise as to whether the individual has capacity and whether the circumstances amount to a Deprivation of Liberty.

Natalia has been involved in and has a particular interest in medical treatment cases. Her experience in this field extends to both children and adults, for which she is instructed to represent either the Local Authority or child.

This work can be emotionally demanding, yet despite this, Natalia approaches these cases in a calm and methodical manner.

Recent cases have included:

• Represented a child in a medical treatment case concerning the delivery of her baby via caesarean section
• Represented a child in case involving the resuscitation and possible withdrawal of the care of a baby
• Represented the trust in a case involving treatment of anorexia
• Represented the trust in a case involving dental treatment

Natalia is a prominent and highly regarded Court of Protection barrister at the top of her field. Consistently ranked in the legal directories for the calibre of her work, Natalia is described as an “exceptionally talented barrister” [Legal 500, Tier 1, Court of Protection] who has a “brilliant eye for detail” and has “a clear eyed focus on trying to resolve problems in Court of Protection cases”.

Her practice involves advising and representing parties in respect of both Property and Finance, as well as Health and Welfare matters. She is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitors, hospitals, ICBs, family members and Local Authorities.

She does not shy away from difficult cases and is noted for her “fantastic ability to manage challenging clients” [Legal 500, Court of Protection]. She is regularly instructed in cases where a ‘finding of fact’ hearing is necessary before final declarations can be made, and where there are allegations regarding the mismanagement of funds.

Areas of expertise:

• Cases that include a transfer of proceedings from Children Act cases to the Court of Protection
• Deprivation of Liberty safeguards
• Deputyship
• Property and financial affairs (in particular mismanagement of financial affairs)
• Health and welfare concerns
• Capacity disputes – with a particular emphasis on the interplay between sexual relations and contact, and cases where there is fluctuating capacity.

Recent cases have included:

• Representation of a parent in a case where there was competing expert evidence regarding the parent’s capacity to make decisions surrounding her residence and care
• Representation of P where there were issues around capacity to consent to sexual relations and capacity in respect of contact
• Representation of a local authority in an application involving closed material
• Representation of a local authority in a finding of fact hearing concerning injuries to P
• Representation of parent in welfare proceedings involving fractious family members
• Representation of a CCG which started with advice surrounding working with a family and obtaining expert reports before issuing proceedings to ensure that the most accurate evidence was placed before the court prior to issuing
• Representing a mother in proceedings involving health and welfare when there were also parallel care proceedings running involving her child

Strengths: “She’s very good on her feet in court.” Chambers UK Bar 2025

“Natalia is articulate, intelligent and fierce on her feet.” Legal 2025 2025 (Children and Domestic Violence)

“Natalia has a clear eyed focus on trying to resolve problems in Court of Protection cases.” Legal 500 2025 (Court of Protection)

“She is a strong advocate with a focus on complex child care cases. She frequently handles cases involving violence and abuse allegations, usually accompanied by extensive medical evidence.” Chambers UK Bar 2024

“A compelling, dynamic and eloquent advocate who is dedicated to her clients. An excellent performer in court.” Legal 500 2024 (Children and Domestic Violence)

“Natalia has really excellent interpersonal skills when in court and when dealing with her lay clients.” Legal 500 2024 (Court of Protection)

“She is a strong advocate with a focus on complex child care cases. She frequently handles cases involving violence and abuse allegations, usually accompanied by extensive medical evidence.” Chambers UK Bar 2023

“Recommended Expert.” Legal 500 2023 (Court of Protection)

“An accomplished advocate who is strong on her feet. She is very personable, and provides robust advice to clients.” Legal 500 2023 (Child Law)

“She has very well-honed court skills but with an ability to retain an equally high level of people skills.” “She goes above and beyond to make clients comfortable.” “She is commanding in the courtroom and my go-to for Children Act work.” Chambers UK Bar 2022 – Band 3 Family (Children)

“Natalia is an exceptionally talented barrister. She is very highly respected by other solicitors, opponents, the Official Solicitor and the Judges who sit in the Court of Protection. Natalia’s case strategy is well thought-out and she brings with her a very level-headed approach.  She is confident on her feet.” Legal 500 2022 Tier 1 – Leading Juniors – Court of Protection

“A junior with a good legal brain. She is determined and very thorough.” Legal 500 2022 Tier 3 – Child Law (Public & Private)

“She’s a strategic thinker.” “She comes up with innovative and practical suggestions to move the case forward.” “She’s super with the client and very straightforward. She gives the hard advice when needed.” Chambers UK Bar 2021 – Band 3

“Natalia grasps a case quickly but thinks things through carefully. She is good at formulating a strategy, looking at the end result we want to achieve. Natalia explains things well to clients and makes sure they understand the advice being given.” Legal 500 2021 – Tier 3 – Child Law (Public and Private)

“Professional and lay clients adore her; she has a fantastic ability to manage challenging clients.” Legal 500 2021 – Tier 1 – Court of Protection

“A very experienced and well-respected counsel in Court of Protection matters.” Legal 500 2020 – Tier 1 – Court of Protection

“A strong advocate with a focus on complex child care cases. Her caseload comprises alleged non-accidental injuries, usually accompanied by extensive medical evidence, and contested adoption cases on behalf of parents and relatives.

Strengths: “She puts people at ease as soon as she walks in the room.” “An accomplished advocate specialising in children matters.” “Natalia is sensible and pragmatic in her approach but is also highly robust as a litigator which is warmly received by the clients and solicitors she advocates for.” Chambers UK Bar 2020 – Band 3

“She has a brilliant eye for detail” and “is well known for her Court of Protection practice, and she has particular expertise in health and welfare cases.” Legal 500 2018/2019

“Intelligent and a safe pair of hands in court.” “I instruct Natalia because she is approachable at all times and able in all court scenarios, whether children or domestic violence. She is able to communicate with all clients appropriately.” “I instructed Natalia on a case where she did not get the bundle until after 5.00pm the day before the hearing with no brief. She got to grips with the issues and the measure of the respondents and prepared a really good written opening. Despite being advised the evening before that the matter could possibly proceed by instructions, her advice was that we fight so she clearly doesn’t shy away from conflict when it’s appropriate. As it happens, the matter did settle, with the order Natalia advised was required. The other barristers, who have had the conduct of the case throughout were astounded when they heard how little time she had had to prepare.” “Natalia is an approachable, popular and extremely capable advocate who is regularly instructed by both parents and Local Authorities. She is certainly one to watch for the future.” “Natalia is completely on top of her game. She is always my first choice in all children matters. Her knowledge of the law, particularly with regards to relocation matters, is  second to none and she goes above and beyond what I could ever expect in helping me to best present my client’s case prior to final hearing. She is always available in the run up to hearings and without fail every single client has given 100% positive feedback. I would recommend her to anyone.” Legal 500 2017 

• BA (Hons) History and Politics (University of Liverpool, 2002-2005)
• Graduate Diploma in Law (BPP Law School Leeds, 2005-2006)
• Bar Vocational Course (BPP Law School Leeds, 2006-2007)
• Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training