Francoise
Bonnaillie-Valmorin
French-speaking family law solicitor
I am a dual-qualified lawyer. I am a solicitor in England and an “avocate” in France. I have been practising international family law for almost 20 years.
After my law studies in alternative dispute resolution, arbitration and mediation in 2001 I started working at the Court of Appeal in Paris. I was the Justice Assistant for the president of one of the Family law divisions. I gained valuable experience in ruling, deciding and explaining the grounds for any decision.
I have been registered at the Paris Bar since 2005. I first qualified in France and I trained with Veronique Chauveau. I worked on child abduction cases and acrimonious divorce proceedings. I was then an associate at BWG law in Paris. I learnt how to negotiate divorce settlements. I was part of the project of drafting family agreements, and the parental aspect of the agreement was enforceable.
In 2006 I moved to London for love. I trained at One Hare Court with Michael Nicholls KC. I was a Justice Assistant for Sir Peter Singer, a high Court judge. I was then an associate at Dawson Cornwell in the team of Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE. I worked on difficult contact cases, international abduction, surrogacy, forced marriages, leave to remove applications… I was admitted to the English roll of solicitors in 2009.
I was a consultant for Elizabeth Muirhead between 2009 and 2017, and I worked on all aspects of family law. I built a French clientele based in the UK. I continued working as a French lawyer in Paris at the same time.
Since January 2018 I am a consultant for Beyer Family law, an international family law niche firm advising mainly German and French clients.
I also have a practice in Gascony in France.
I also encourage, dialogue and mediation. I truly think that the best deals are the ones negotiated by the parties with the help of their lawyers. I comply with the code of practice of Resolution. Resolution is a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive manner.
I trained as a collaborative solicitor and as a mediator in England and in France.
I have a renewed expertise in jurisdictional issues between England and France, and I very often give legal opinions on cross border jurisdictions.
I always work in a cost-effective manner. I am always available for you and the direct access reduces your costs.
“I used Francoise Bonnaillie-valmorin services for a case involving both UK and French Laws and she was great. She always tried to find the best solution, she had some good advices and she was very human in her approach. I highly recommend her.”
Rafael Molinero
“Francoise has been my lawyer for over 8 years and she has always given excellent advice, counsel and support. By covering both UK and French family law makes, she is uniquely placed to guide anyone navigating such a landscape. I would recommend Françoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin without hesitation.”
Sarah Hammond
“Francoise has been helping me in a very difficult time in my life. As professional and knowledgeable as she is, she’s also very human and really cares about her clients. I felt supported in all ways possible thanks to her. Even after a few years I called her back as I needed something and she immediately responded and helped me again. So if you are reading this : think no more, Francoise is the best.”
JB
“Françoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin has been my solicitor for over 11 years. I choose her because she was qualified in both UK and French family law.
She is a reliable, ethical, very professional and knowledgeable solicitor. She explained everything very clearly to me. She has always given me great advice, counsel and support and helped me very much through my divorce proceedings.
Therefore I highly recommend Françoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin without hesitation.”
Natacha EMILE
“Françoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin is an excellent family lawyer with outstanding interpersonal skills. Knowledgeable, dependable and responsive when it comes to the law, but also sympathetic, supportive and a real team player. French speaking. Positive approach and sense of humour to defuse tension. Highly recommended.”
Jules Dagonet
“I used Francoise Bonnaillie-valmorin services for a case involving both UK and French Laws and she was great. She always tried to find the best solution, she had some good advices and she was very human in her approach. I highly recommend her.”
Rafael Molinero
“Francoise has been my lawyer for over 8 years and she has always given excellent advice, counsel and support. By covering both UK and French family law makes, she is uniquely placed to guide anyone navigating such a landscape. I would recommend Françoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin without hesitation.”
Sarah Hammond
“Francoise has been helping me in a very difficult time in my life. As professional and knowledgeable as she is, she’s also very human and really cares about her clients. I felt supported in all ways possible thanks to her. Even after a few years I called her back as I needed something and she immediately responded and helped me again. So if you are reading this : think no more, Francoise is the best.”
JB
“Françoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin has been my solicitor for over 11 years. I choose her because she was qualified in both UK and French family law.
She is a reliable, ethical, very professional and knowledgeable solicitor. She explained everything very clearly to me. She has always given me great advice, counsel and support and helped me very much through my divorce proceedings.
Therefore I highly recommend Françoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin without hesitation.”
Natacha EMILE
“Françoise Bonnaillie-Valmorin is an excellent family lawyer with outstanding interpersonal skills. Knowledgeable, dependable and responsive when it comes to the law, but also sympathetic, supportive and a real team player. French speaking. Positive approach and sense of humour to defuse tension. Highly recommended.”
Jules Dagonet
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 associates, 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)