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 acts for parents, extended family members, and children (through their guardians). She is regularly instructed in protracted and intricate private law matters and appears across all stages of proceedings, from FHDRAs through to final hearings, as well as at multi-day fact-findings, appeals, and enforcement hearings.

Diana has substantial experience representing parties in matters involving domestic abuse, abuse of children, intractable contact disputes, relocation, and parental alienation. She is also used to dealing with cases that have a public law element.

Diana has a particular interest in cases involving complex allegations of domestic abuse. Her advocacy in this area has been described as insightful and powerful. She was invited to speak on domestic abuse law at the Mexican Consulate, reflecting her recognised expertise in the area.

Recent cases include:

  • Representing a mother at a five-day fact-finding hearing where significant findings were made against the father including rape, grooming, psychological and emotional abuse, and a sustained pattern of controlling and coercive behaviour.
  • Representing a father at a multi-day fact-finding hearing in which he was being accused of sexually abusing and violently shaking his baby, and of maliciously sectioning the mother. No findings were made. At the final hearing, the father was granted equal shared care, having previously only had three hours of fortnightly supervised contact.
  • Representing the Guardian at a final hearing where the medical expert significantly altered his recommendations in oral evidence. The Court nonetheless made final orders in line with the Guardian’s position, including where it departed from the expert’s evidence.
  • A successful appeal against a decision not to hold a fact-finding hearing and to reinstate unsupervised contact with a mother accused of serious physical abuse of a child with significant additional needs. Substantial findings were later made at the fact-finding hearing.

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.