Victoria Hajba-Ward

Victoria regularly represents parties in the Family Proceedings Court, County Court and the High Court, accepting instructions in both public and private law matters. She has a wide-ranging practice, acting for local authorities, parents, extended family members, children and children’s guardians. Victoria has substantial experience of care work ranging from urgent applications through to finding of fact hearings and multiple-day contested matters. She has been involved in cases with allegations of serious sexual and physical abuse, including non-accidental injuries and FII. Victoria regularly deals with cases involving domestic violence, neglect and drug and alcohol abuse. She has considerable experience in complex contact and residence disputes.
Victoria also represents applicants and respondents at all stages of financial remedy proceedings.
She regularly receives positive feedback in respect of her approach to both lay and professional clients, and the quality of her work. Victoria handles cases sensitively, recognising the difficulties parties can experience in proceedings. She is renowned for being down to earth, building a good rapport with her clients alongside providing clear and straightforward advice.

Criminal Law:

Victoria accepts instructions from both the prosecution and defence at all levels of the criminal justice system. She regularly undertakes jury trials at the Crown Court within the North Eastern circuit and has also defended at the Old Bailey. Her expertise covers a wide spectrum of criminal offences including domestic violence, robbery, threats to kill, drug offences, road traffic matters and sexual offences. Victoria also acts on behalf of local authorities, the Probation Service, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Prior to her career at the bar, Victoria volunteered for the Human Rights Charity Reprieve in the USA, defending people on death row in Texas.

Memberships

North Eastern Circuit

Family Law Bar Association and Criminal Bar Association.

Qualifications

Bar Practice Training Course (2011) BBP Law School Leeds (Very Competent), LLB (Hons) (2007-2010) The University of Northampton (First Class),

Scholarships and awards: Cecile Yahuda Pupillage Scholarship (Inner Temple) 2014, Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award and Exhibition (Inner Temple) 2011 and Outstanding Academic Achievement at the University of Northampton 2008-2010.

Other interests

Victoria enjoys running and keeping fit in her spare time having run the Great North Run and other competitive half marathons. She enjoys travelling and regularly travels to the USA where she lived whilst undertaking charity work prior to her career at the bar.