- 39 - CHRISTINA WARNER GOLDSMITH CHAMBERS E: c.warner@goldsmithchambers.com | W: www.goldsmithchambers.com ABOUT CHRISTINA WARNER Christina is an LGBT+, human rights, animal protection and family barrister, and a multiaward nominated advocate. Alongside her practice as a barrister, Christina contributes to campaigns and conferences raising awareness of social mobility and access to justice for those of marginalised communities, in particular those of the LGBT and Spanish-speaking communities in the UK. Career to date Prior to being called to the Bar, Christina qualified as a solicitor-advocate having worked at numerous leading firms in their criminal, family and prison law departments. Christina was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2014 and spent the formative years of her career as a barrister working for the Crown Prosecution Service as a trial prosecutor. Finding this to be an invaluable experience, her family practice today is highly influenced by the skills she refined during this time and the way she approaches case strategy and in turn, witness handling and evidence analysis. In 2016, Christina spent a year working at the Office of the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court in the Hague, where she contributed to the Prosecution Division’s policy on children and assisted in the prosecution of cases involving child soldiers and children involved in sexual slavery. Christina was also invited to contribute to the ICC’s advocacy training programme as a member of the training panel and as an assessor. Later that year Christina was formally appointed ICC counsel representing victims of human rights violations. Christina has a growing specialist family law practice and specialises in matters concerning children and domestic abuse. Often representing individuals who form part of alternative family structures, promoting their rights and those of their children as well as better visibility of the LGBT+ community before the family courts. Christina also has a growing practice in animal protection law. Having worked alongside leading animal protection organisations; Christina works to bridge the gap in the understanding of human and animal victims of violence and domestic abuse. Either through proposed legislative reform or through collaborations with academics compiling research and building networks in order to provide a strengthened pool of resources for all victims affected. Pro bono contributions Christina has been a keynote speaker at international events discussing matters of domestic abuse. During 2020, she was invited by US-based charity, Positive Links to speak on two occasions. Firstly, in May 2020 on the impact of CoVid on domestic abuse in the UK and in September 2020 on how to protect companion animals in situations of domestic abuse. Christina was also a keynote speaker amongst members of Parliament and academics at Recognise & Respond: Strengthening advocacy for LGBT+ survivors of domestic abuse in May 2019 which was the only conference specifically discussing matters affecting the LGBT+ community. She provided an update in relation to the proposals made by the, then, draft domestic abuse bill and how this is likely to affect both service providers and those of the LGBT+ community. Representing advocates with unseen disabilities Christina is one of a handful of visually-impaired practicing barristers, having been diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease, a genetic birth defect causing degeneration of the macular which causes blindness. As someone who is partially sighted, Christina feels honoured to form part of an incredible community of barristers who represent those with seen and unseen disabilities championing for greater visibility and diversity at the bar. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Christina is an accomplished writer and has contributed to numerous leading legal publications raising awareness of the impact of sexual and gender-based violence and abuse on children, families and animal victims on both a national and international scale. Christina was the only individual to have been a finalist shortlisted in two categories (Lawyer of the Year and Diversity Champion) at 2018’s UK Legal Diversity Awards, she has also been credited by Amnesty International during their ‘Suffragette Spirit’ Campaign in March 2018, where she was listed on their Suffragette Map of Britain of modern-day, leading female human rights campaigners. Christina was appointed a magistrate in 2008, one of the youngest magistrates in England and Wales at the time. FAMILY LAW UNITED KINGDOM Women in Law Awards 2021
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