Vivien joined Chambers as a tenant in October 2022 following the successful completion of her specialist family pupillage under the supervision of Zoë Saunders. During pupillage, Vivien observed a number of high value claims for financial relief involving complex financial structures and assets outside of the jurisdiction, as well as a wide range of private children law work. She also gained experience in cohabitation disputes involving ToLATA.

Vivien acts in all aspects of private family law. She is building a busy practice in financial remedies, being frequently instructed at all stages of the process. Vivien also regularly appears on behalf of applicants and respondents in all private children law matters and in applications brought under the Family Law Act 1996. Vivien has experience in handling cases involving parental alienation, relocation, coercive and controlling behaviour, substance misuse and mental health issues. She also accepts instructions in cohabitation disputes. Vivien is happy to provide advice in conference or in writing.

Vivien is a contributor to the Family Law Week website.

Vivien accepts instructions in all aspects of family law including:

  • Financial Remedy Proceedings
  • Schedule 1 Children Act 1989
  • Private law Children Act matters
  • Part IV FLA 1996 (Domestic Violence)
  • ToLATA 1996

Prior to coming to the Bar, Vivien worked as a teacher in London and the South East. As Head of Department in both state and selective, independent schools, she learnt to make complex concepts compelling and understandable, and brings these skills to the Family Bar.

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  • Qualifications & awards:

    • LLM Professional Legal Practice: Family Law  (Distinction)
    • SIMI Accredited International Civil-Commercial Mediator
    • BPTC, BPP Holborn (Very Competent)
    • GDL, University of Law Bloomsbury
    • Qualified Teacher Status, Canterbury Christ Church University (Distinction)
    • BA Hons in English Literature, University of Exeter (2.1)
    • Harmsworth Scholarship, Major Award, Middle Temple
    • Blackstone Entrance Exhibition Award, Middle Temple
    • Advocacy Scholarship, BPP

  • Professional memberships:

    • Family Law Bar Association

  • Additional information:

    Prior to starting pupillage, Vivien worked as a County Court advocate, conducting hearings on a variety of civil matters including mortgage possessions, mortgage applications, bankruptcy, insolvency, setting aside statutory demands and infant settlement hearings.

    After successful completion of the BPTC, Vivien completed an LLM Professional Legal Practice in Family Law. Her dissertation focussed on divorce reform.

    Vivien has volunteered for the National Centre for Domestic Violence, where she interviewed and drafted effective witness statements for victims of domestic abuse. She also volunteered at the Family Law Advice Clinic, writing advice on matrimonial and divorce proceedings and contact for clients.

  • 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.