Vivien is at the top of her game. She has an eye for detail, gives common sense advice and is able to capture the court’s attention with confidence.”

The Legal 500 2026, Family: children and domestic abuse

Vivien is a specialist family law barrister practising in all aspects of family law.

Vivien has recently been nominated for ‘Family Law Young Barrister of the Year’ at the Family Law Awards 2024.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Financial remedy and divorce
  • Schedule 1 Children Act 1989
  • ToLATA 1996
  • Private law Children Act 1989 matters
  • Part IV Family Law Act 1996 (domestic violence)

Vivien is frequently instructed on cases involving intricate issues of fact and/or law. She represented the respondent husband in the reported decision of JD v RMD [2023] EWFC 125.

Vivien is praised by professional and lay clients for being highly professional, thorough and having a superb attention to detail. Her careful preparation means her cross-examination is described as  “unwavering”. She brings compassion to her work, supporting clients through difficult periods and helping them to work towards the best possible legal outcome.

Vivien is frequently asked to present at seminars or deliver in-house training. Vivien recently spoke at the Bristol Resolution Conference on cohabitation claims. Vivien has contributed to Family Law Week, LexisNexis legal research and analysis blog and the St John’s Family Law Podcast:

  • Family Law Week: here.
  • LexisNexis: “The impact on cohabitation claims of Hudson v Hathway’: here
  • Podcast: Domestic abuse as conduct in financial remedy proceedings. Listen here.
  • Podcast: Costs in financial remedy proceedings. Listen here.
  • Podcast: Covert Recordings in Family Proceedings: Part 1. Listen here
  • Podcast: Case law update #1 – financial remedies – litigation misconduct and capacity. Listen here
  • Podcast: Case Law Update #2 – private law children – return orders and costs. Listen here
  • Podcast: Covert recording in Family Proceedings: Part 2. Listen here

Vivien is happy to provide advice in conference or in writing.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Vivien worked as a Head of Department and teacher at both state and selective, independent schools in London and the South East.

Directory Quotes

Vivien is at the top of her game. She has an eye for detail, gives common sense advice and is able to capture the court’s attention with confidence.”

The Legal 500 2026, Family: children and domestic abuse

Vivien is an incredible advocate. She has an excellent bedside manner with clients and is a reassuring presence for clients and solicitors alike. She thinks on her feet and is adaptable under pressure.”

The Legal 500 2026, Family: divorce and financial remedy

Vivien is at the top of her game. She has an eye for detail, gives common sense advice and is able to capture the court’s attention with confidence.”

The Legal 500 2026, Family: Children and Domestic Abuse

Vivien is an incredible advocate. She has an excellent bedside manner with clients and is a reassuring presence for clients and solicitors alike. She thinks on her feet and is adaptable under pressure.”

The Legal 500 2026, Divorce and Financial Remedy

Vivien is a brilliant advocate, who is very proactive, fights hard for her clients and works well with the solicitor in matters, delivering when it comes to results.”

Chambers UK 2026, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Viven is wise beyond her year of call; she has a calming presence for vulnerable clients, always approaches cases with compassion and unwavering dedication and produces exceptionally high-standard work.”

Chambers UK 2026, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Client Quotes

Vivien’s goal was to get the best outcome for her client and that she did, whilst showing compassion, understanding and exuding professionalism and competency. In my dealings with Vivien, she showed remarkable recall and attention to detail, being able to hone in on the exact documentation required. I would recommend Vivien without any hesitation.”

LAY CLIENT, DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL REMEDY

I am clear that without Vivien’s support we would not have achieved the outcome the wife had sought. The outcome required Vivien’s hard work, careful case preparation, her clear understanding of the case and issues, her ability to present the facts clearly and her excellent cross examination skills to tease out the evidence required to support the wife’s case. It also required Vivien’s patience and understanding of the client’s emotional needs to ensure the wife was able to give her evidence and to ensure her participation in the proceedings.”

LAY CLIENT, DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL REMEDY

Vivien was reassuring and supportive with clear communication and expert knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse and family law. She went above and beyond. Having Vivien in your corner is immensely reassuring.”

LAY CLIENT , CHILDREN PRIVATE LAW

When faced with tough judicial direction, she went away, researched the case law and came back, managing to change the Judge’s mind. The findings were made in no small part due to Vivien’s thorough work and doggedness, remembering even small details meant her cross-examination was unwavering. As well as her incredible technical ability over the multiple day fact-find, she also earned a vulnerable client’s trust. Her honesty, empathy and collaboration allowed the client to feel supported by a full team during what was an incredibly tough experience. “

Lay Client, CHILDREN PRIVATE LAW

Seminars & Events

  • Qualifications:

    • LLM Professional Legal Practice: Family Law
    • SIMI Accredited International Civil-Commercial Mediator
    • BPTC, BPP Holborn
    • GDL, University of Law Bloomsbury
    • Qualified Teacher Status, Canterbury Christ Church University
    • BA Hons in English Literature, University of Exeter
    • Harmsworth Scholarship, Major Award, Middle Temple
    • Blackstone Entrance Exhibition Award, Middle Temple
    • Advocacy Scholarship, BPP
  • Professional memberships:

    • Family Law Bar Association
  • Vivien Croly 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.