Introduction
Yolanda Pemberton is ranked in Chambers UK and as a Leading Junior in Legal 500. She is also a founding Board Member of Women in Family Law. Yolanda has a particular emphasis on complex public law children. Yolanda specialises in all aspects of child law with an extensive background in all aspects of public law, private law children work, Forced Marriage (including FGM), Brussels II, Wardship and Inherent Jurisdiction.
Yolanda has an extensive background and experience of representing local authorities, parents and children in public law cases involving serious injuries to children, FII, fractures, bruising, attempted suffocation, sexual abuse (including subject child as victim and perpetrator), complex medical issues, mental health, including parents who require the assistance of the Official solicitor (acting for both parents via the Official Solicitor) and child death. In addition, Yolanda has experience of representing both parents and local authorities in adoption proceedings.
In private law children work this includes representing parents, grandparents, children and all other family members in cases involving child arrangements orders including high conflict and intractable disputes (including involving 16.4 appointments), applications to remove children from the jurisdiction, applications to relocate children within the jurisdiction, specific issues relating to education, medical and religion, issues of mental health, fact-finding hearings and domestic abuse within families.
Yolanda is known for her meticulous preparation of all of her cases, being able to quickly and expertly get to the core of any dispute and known to be uncompromising in her approach for any client, ensuring they receive the best and most robust representation.
Yolanda excels with vulnerable clients in complex cases.
Yolanda has experience before all levels of judiciary including the Court of Appeal.
Notable Cases
Re I [2020] representing Children in care proceedings in which mother made serious allegations against father and other professionals
Re PH [2020] representing Children in care proceedings in High Court where child found to have suffered non accidental injuries head injuries sin unwitnessed fall
Re H [2019] representing M in successful application to discharge of care order
Re MC [2019] representing local authority in non-accidental injuries finding of fact
Re W [2019] representing Children in care proceedings when M lacked capacity
Re BS [2019] junior counsel representing the LA in respect of a dead baby in the High Court
Re SM [2019] representing Children in care proceedings in the High Court (reported)
Re C [2019] representing Mother in care proceedings where F had a conviction for manslaughter of a previous child
Re K [2019] representing Children in care proceedings in the High Court where M was found to have abducted the child from Mexico
Re M T [2018] representing Children in care proceedings where parents were convicted of terrorism offences
Re EB [2018] representing father in care proceedings when baby suffered injuries in alleged shaking incident
Re RB [2018] representing Children in care proceedings in the High Court where parents fled the jurisdiction
Re BA [2018] representing father in care proceedings in the High Court where it was alleged that the child had been radicalised
Re S [2017] representing father in care proceedings where there were concurrent criminal proceedings for the murder of the children’s mother
Re F [2017] representing mother in care proceedings where she was alleged to concealed her second pregnancy the first have resulted in the death of the baby
Re W [2017] representing the local authority in care proceedings involving a child where it was unclear whether or not the child was still alive
Re L [2017] representing Children in care proceedings in the High Court where parents had subjected child to gross neglect, bullying and abuse
Re M [2016] representing mother in care proceedings where child had sustained 46 separate injuries
Re E [2016] reported case
Re B [2016] represent Mother in care proceedings where baby suffered non accidental injuries
Reported Cases
Court of Appeal in Re B (A Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 565
Re E (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 473.
A County Council v Mother [2020] EWFC 15
Appointments and Memberships
Association Of Lawyers for Child (ALC)
Family Law Bar Association (Both National and Regional)
Testimonials
“A really safe pair of hands and very thorough in her forensic preparation of things.” Chambers & Partners 2025
“Yolanda is above competent. She has a clear understanding of complex law and will work nonstop for her client.” Legal 500 2024
“Yolanda is one of the most passionate, motivated and committed barristers in the Birmingham circuit. She is so effectively able to put her client’s case forward.” Chambers & Partners 2024
“She instils calm and confidence. She is empathetic, calming, but commanding. Her preparation is meticulous.” Chambers & Partners 2024
“Yolanda is always well-prepared, and her paperwork is outstanding. She is a calm but forceful advocate. Her work ethic is remarkable.” Legal 500 2023
“She has the ability to put the client’s case across in a passionate yet measured manner and will always fight her clients corner whilst giving clients focused, realistic advice.” Chambers & Partners 2023
“Yolanda has excellent legal knowledge and drafting. She is easy to approach and accessible.” Chambers & Partners 2023
“She’s really effective and excellent with clients, and her advocacy and preparation are very good.” Chambers UK 2022
“She’s a very calming influence in any case and is utterly unflappable.” Chambers UK 2022
“Yolanda is a first rate advocate whose attention to detail is second to none. She brings a calmness to her client’s case; a sense that her client is in safe hands and will do all that can be done to achieve the best outcome.” Legal 500
“She’s an excellent advocate who is always very well prepared and provides very effective written material. She has a clear eye on the pertinent issues in a case, and an excellent rapport with clients.” Chambers UK
“A commanding advocate who is always thoroughly prepared.” Chambers UK
“Through dedicated preparation and razor-sharp advocacy, she ensures the best results for her clients.” Chambers UK
“Very well prepared and unflappable, I have absolute confidence in her abilities.” Chambers UK
