Diana’s preparation and communication both before and after hearings is immaculate, very prompt and thorough. Her client care, both towards solicitor and lay client, is attentive and understanding, and her advice is sound and comprehensive.”

The Legal 500 2026, Family: children and domestic abuse

Diana is ranked in the Legal 500 as a “Rising Star (Tier 1)” in children and domestic abuse matters.

Diana has a busy public law practice and represents children, parents, and local authorities. She has expertise in cases involving issues around domestic abuse, sexual abuse of children, neglect, mental health, and substance abuse.

Diana has successfully completed the FLBA vulnerable witness training. She is often instructed to represent vulnerable clients, including those who have learning needs and require an intermediary.

Diana has a particular interest in cases involving gender-based violence. She previously volunteered with Lawyers Without Borders, assisting in the training of Namibian judges and police on addressing gender-based violence in their communities. Her LLM dissertation critically examined the family court’s ability to protect potential child victims of FGM, including those with precarious immigration status.

Recent cases include:

  • Acting for a competent child in proceedings involving concerns about forced marriage and trafficking to Romania by the parents, leading to the making of port alerts and Forced Marriage Protection Orders.
  • Representing a mother in a nine-day fact-finding hearing where significant allegations of sexual abuse were made against the father in relation to his biological child.
  • Acting for the Guardian in an eight-day final hearing where the local authority’s final care plan was for adoption in relation to a baby with complex medical needs. The hearing involved expert evidence and raised issues around domestic abuse, substance abuse, mental health, and neglect.
  • Successfully representing a mother in her application for a further residential assessment with her baby following her early departure from the initial placement. The application was opposed by the local authority but granted by the Court.

Directory Quotes

Diana’s preparation and communication both before and after hearings is immaculate, very prompt and thorough.  Her client care, both towards solicitor and lay client, is attentive and understanding, and her advice is sound and comprehensive.”

The Legal 500 2026, Family: Children and Domestic Abuse

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Client Quotes

Diana is absolutely fantastic! She is tenacious, diligent, passionate, but above all very caring to the client and that is very important in our industry!”

Partner, KJ Smith Solicitors

Diana’s advocacy is insightful and powerful when dealing with issues of domestic abuse.”

Mark Sage, Director, The Family Law Practice

Diana was instructed at short notice in a tricky case and hit the ground running immediately. She demonstrated a full grasp of the issues and a confidence with the client which was impressive. I would not hesitate to use Diana again.”

David Kendall, Partner, Wollens

I regularly instruct Diana and I have been impressed by her thorough preparation and competence. Diana is very approachable and has a compassionate and empathetic attitude towards vulnerable clients, which makes them feel reassured and in safe hands.”

Clizia Motterle, Senior Associate, RWK Goodman

Diana was brilliant. Her kindness and empathy were so appreciated. She does what she does with such confidence and calmness, and you have no doubt she is doing her absolute best for you.”

Client

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  • Qualifications:

    • University of Bristol – LLB
    • BPP University, Bristol – LLM (Legal Practice) Barristers
    • Dean’s Commendation – University of Bristol
    • Full Exhibition Award BPTC Scholarship – The Inner Temple
    • Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award – The Inner Temple
    • BPTC Excellence Award – BPP University, Bristol
    • BPTC Advocacy Scholarship – BPP University, Bristol
    • Joint highest mark for Civil Advocacy across all BPP University centres

  • Professional memberships:

    • Family Law Bar Association
    • Western Circuit
    • Inner Temple

  • Additional information:

    Prior to joining the Bar, Diana volunteered at her university’s Human Rights Implementation Centre, focusing her research on the rights of transgender children both nationally and internationally. She also volunteered with her university’s pro bono law clinic for several years, and with The Innocence Project.

    Coming from a BAME background, Diana is a keen advocate for increasing diversity at the Bar. She participates in various mentoring programmes and gives talks to encourage greater inclusion.

    Languages: Spanish (fluent) and Italian (conversational).

  • Diana M. Panizzon-Pineda is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.