Practice Areas
- Court of Protection - Vulnerable Adult
- Financial Remedies
- International Children Law
- Private Children Law
Dispute Resolution
Direct Access
Awards
Shortlisted, Young Family Law Barrister of the Year, Jordan’s Family Law Awards 2016
Pupillage Advocacy Prize 2012, The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Advocacy Scholarship 2010, Kaplan Law School
“Julia is a force to be reckoned with. Her ability and commitment in terms of preparation, technical legal knowledge, client care and advocacy are nothing short of phenomenal. Skilful and creative, she can navigate even the most torrid of situations effectively and she always displays acute commercial awareness. She’s fiercely intelligent, insightful and somewhat fearless.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
Experience
Year of Call: 2011
Education
MA (Cantab), Law, Girton College, University of Cambridge
BPTC, Kaplan Law School, London
Languages
Conversational French
Profile
Julia’s practice has a focus on divorce, the financial consequences of relationship breakdown and disputes about child arrangements, including where there is an international dimension. She is particularly adept at both finance and private children work and is known for her meticulous preparation, sensible advice and tenacious advocacy.
Julia has a wealth of experience primarily as an advocate in her own right but also as part of legal teams led by Silks in cases from the High Court to the Supreme Court. She won the Advocacy Prize for Pupils from the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple and was shortlisted for Jordan’s Young Family Law Barrister of the Year.
Julia is a contributing author to Rayden and Jackson on Relationship Breakdown, Finances and Children, specifically the chapter about section 8 Children Act 1989 orders. She has written articles for various family law publications, national newspapers and has featured on Sky News and BBC Radio discussing the topics of no-fault divorce and changes to domestic abuse law.
Professional Memberships
Family Law Bar Association
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Directories
“Julia is a force to be reckoned with. Her ability and commitment in terms of preparation, technical legal knowledge, client care and advocacy are nothing short of phenomenal. Skilful and creative, she can navigate even the most torrid of situations effectively and she always displays acute commercial awareness. She’s fiercely intelligent, insightful and somewhat fearless.”
“Responsive, approachable and to-the-point in her advice. She is a tough negotiator and a gifted communicator. Clients have complete confidence in her.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Julia is extremely smart, tactically very astute and always knows the papers inside out. She has an excellent eye for detail and is an excellent negotiator. Her client care is impeccable, and her advocacy is focused and laser-sharp, which judges appreciate.’
Legal 500 2024, Family (Including Children and Domestic Abuse)
‘Julia is a superb advocate with a great eye for detail, meticulous in her preparation and quick on her feet. She is calm, reassuring and pragmatic with clients.’
Legal 500 2024, Family (Including Divorce and Financial Remedy)
“Julia Townend is a total firecracker who is a joy to work with. She’s brilliant on her feet and has a great rapport with clients.”
“Impeccably well prepared, she thinks outside the box and can win the trickiest points whilst making it look easy. Judges agree with her and clients love her.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
‘Julia is an absolute superstar. She is always meticulously prepared, extremely persuasive, and determined to do her utmost in the best interests of client. She has a calm and friendly demeanor which puts clients at ease whilst being a robust and assertive advocate.’
Legal 500 2023, Family (Including Divorce and Financial Remedy)
‘Julia combines excellent client care with immaculate drafting and sensible advice. Her advocacy is focused and persuasive.’
Legal 500 2023, (Children Law)
“She’s pragmatic, accessible and someone who tries to reach a settlement if necessary.” “Her meticulous preparation and clear advice, no matter how complex the issues, are a breath of fresh air.” “She is intelligent, personable and a lawyer who always makes the right calls.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
‘ An excellent junior who inspires confidence in whomever she is representing. Julia’s knowledge and intellect set her apart from her contemporaries. ’
Legal 500, 2022
Children law and matrimonial finance practitioner who acts for a broad array of parents, ranging from high-profile celebrities to mentally vulnerable individuals. Her experience includes the handling of wardship applications, termination of parental responsibility, and habitation disputes. She frequently appears before the High Court and the Central Family Court.
Strengths: “Positive, smart, determined and compassionate. Clients love her.” “A real details person who explains things clearly to lay clients.” “Julia represents a large variety of clients, all of whom have very different personalities and communication styles.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
Up and Coming
“One of the most exciting legal talents at the Bar. She has a fierce legal intellect combined with incredibly effective advocacy skills that charm and persuade judges and clients alike. Julia sweeps aside opponents, and more often than not those who are many years her senior, with ease yet always with a calm and professional grace” “Scrupulously well-prepared. An articulate, persuasive and determined advocate”
Legal 500 2021