Profile

Francoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin has more than 15 years’ experience in cross borders family law matters. All her cases have a French and an English element.

She is qualified in both France and England.

After her post graduate study in alternative dispute resolution in 2001 she was the Justice Assistant of a President in the family law division of the Court of Appeal in Paris. She gained valuable experience in ruling and explaining the grounds for orders.

She has been registered on the Paris French roll since 2005. She trained in Paris with Veronique Chauveau, an expert in international family law and she was then an associate lawyer for BWG and partners, an international family law firm in Paris.

She moved to London in 2006 and while starting her English training she carried on working on French matters.

In England she first worked with Michael Nicholls at One Hare Court chambers in international children matters. She was then the associate of Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE at Dawson Cornwell, a law firm specialising in international family matters. She was admitted on the English roll of Solicitors in 2009.

She was Elizabeth Muirhead's consultant between 2009 and 2017 and worked on all aspects of family law.

Since January 2018 she is a consultant for Beyer Family Law, an international family law niche firm, advising German and French clients.

In England, Francoise acts mostly for French clients. In France she mainly represents English clients. She is one of the very few practising solicitors based in South West of France, in Gascony dealing with family matters.

About

Experience

  • Since Jan 2021, addition of a French practice in Toulouse, France.
  • Since Jan 2018 Consultant for Beyer Family Law, London, UK.
  • Since Nov 2009, French practise registered in Paris, France.
  • Nov 2009-Dec 2017 Consultant for Elizabeth Muirhead Solicitors, family law, London.
  • Mar 2008-Jun 2009 Assistant to Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE at Dawson Cornwell, family law, London.
  • Jan 2006-Jul 2006 Internship with Michael Nicholls KC, Barrister at One Hare Court, family law, London.
  • Nov 2004-Jan 2006 Associate Lawyer at Béatrice Weiss-Gout and associes, family law, Paris.
  • May 2004-Jul 2004 Internship with Sir Justice Peter Singer, the High Court, family law, London.
  • Nov 2003-May 2004 Trainee Lawyer with Véronique Chauveau, family law, Paris.
  • Oct 2001-Sept 2003 Justice Assistant for Mrs Mondane Colcombet, President in the family law division of the Court of Appeal, Paris.

Qualifications

  • 2019 Mediation training with Toulouse law school
  • 2017 Mediation training with Resolution
  • 2010 Collaborative law training with Resolution
  • 2009 Qualification Lawyers Transfer Test (Solicitor)
  • 2004 CAPA equivalent to the LPC/ BVC, Paris (Avocat)
  • 2003 Achieved eligibility for Entry into the National School for Judges (ENM).
  • 2002 Admission for Entry into the Paris Bar School
  • 2001 DESS, Post-Graduate study, equivalent to an LLM in Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, University Paris II Assas
  • 2000 Masters degree in Law, with Honours, University Paris II Assas
  • 1999 Bachelor’s degree in Law, with Honours, University Dijon (Burgundy)

Services

Francoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin is qualified and practises in both countries: France and England.

English Law

  • Divorce
  • Separation
  • Civil partnership
  • Children matters
  • Advice and opinion in care proceedings
  • Child abduction
  • Pre and post nuptial agreements
  • Enforcement of French orders in England
  • Surrogacy

French Law

  • Divorce
  • Separation
  • French equivalent to civil partnership (PACS)
  • Children matters
  • Care proceedings
  • Child abduction
  • Nullity of marriage
  • Enforcement of English orders in France
  • Matrimonial regimes
  • Inheritance issues
  • Registration of English surrogacy
lawyer

Francoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin first showed an interest in alternative dispute resolution in 2001, aware of the fact that the best order (more efficient and easily complied with) is the one tailored made by the parties themselves with their advisors.

In England Francoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin is a member of Resolution. Members conduct matters in a constructive and non-confrontational way. The association emphasises a constructive attitude to family problems and encourages solutions that take into consideration the needs of the whole family and the best interest of any children. It promotes an approach to family law that is sensitive, constructive, cost effective and most likely to result in an agreement.

Francoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin acts in front of the English Courts and in front of the French courts. She is efficient in jurisdiction races between the two countries.

Contact

Mobile: +44 7515 472 944

Email: fbv@fbvfamilylaw.co.uk


London

1 Hind Court,
149 Fleet Street
London EC4A 3DL

DX 472 London Chancery Lane

Paris

79 Boulevard Malesherbes,
75008 Paris
France

Toulouse

32 allées Jules Guesde,
31 000 Toulouse
France