Victoria Smith-Swain

Call 2008

‘She is erudite and extremely hard working. She recognises difficult points that most would miss, and has the tenacity to pursue them.’

The Legal 500 2023
Photo of Victoria Smith-Swain

  • Recommendations

    Ranked Tier 3 for Crime (General and Fraud)
    The Legal 500 2024

    ‘She is erudite and extremely hard working. She recognises difficult points that most would miss, and has the tenacity to pursue them.’
    The Legal 500 2023

    “From our first meeting, Vicky came across as a highly skilled, down to earth, competent Barrister who is passionate about what she does. Throughout the various meetings we had, I had confidence in her ability to do her very best for my defence. I was encouraged to send through any information that I thought was relevant and Vicky took the time to go through each point and explained why it was either relevant and what other information was needed, or whether it was of no relevance at all! I appreciated her straight-talking advice, but also her encouragement when I needed it. Her approach in the courtroom was fantastic and resulted in a successful defence of my case. I highly recommend Vicky without reservation and I cannot thank her enough for going the extra mile.”
    Lay client testimonial following acquittal

    “I assess Ms Smith-Swain to be a highly competent, professional, skilled, and down to earth advocate, who will go far. I base this opinion from client feedback (which I always obtain) and my own personal experiences from working with her. Ms Smith-Swain has also obtained good results at court in respect of my “difficult clients” who can be quite challenging and demanding… When Ms Smith-Swain covers my work, I know that all the issues will be dealt with and my clients will be well taken care of. This is of the utmost importance to my business as she is Counsel who I trust with my work.”
    Claudia Francois, CFJ & Co Solicitors

    “Vicky was great to have on side on the day. Clear, calm to the point and it was clear from talking to her that she genuinely loves what she does. When times like Monday come a long they generally make you take stock of things in life. Being around someone so passionate about what they do was a pleasure and refreshing, even in the circumstances – not quite a Martha Costello yet but still inspiring! …I appreciate that a lot of the above is arguably a big part of your job but I can’t help but feel like you’ve gone the extra mile. Sorry if this is all on the cringeworthy side but felt I had to thank you.”
    Lay client’s son, R v D

  • Beyond the Bar

    Vicky enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures and customs. She has travelled extensively and has lived in Australia and the Middle East. She has worked with orphaned and disadvantaged children in Argentina and volunteered at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Vicky is a PADI Advanced Diver and enjoys adrenaline sports such as skydiving, white-water rafting, horse-boarding and sand-boarding.

  • Education

    • Bar Vocational Course, Nottingham Law School,  Jul 2008
    • LL.B Law, Newcastle Law School, Jun 2007
    • A Levels / AS Level, NEW College, Pontefract, Jul 2003
    • Kalisher Trust Bursary, Criminal Bar Association
    • No.1 High Pavement Plea in Mitigation Competition 2008; Crowther Shield Public Speaking Competition 2008; and Dickinson Dees’ Senior Client Interviewing Competition 2007.

  • Memberships

    • Vicky is a member of Lincoln’s Inn, the Criminal Bar Association and the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers.

  • News

Healthcare (Acting for the Professional)

Vicky has experience of representing healthcare professionals facing disciplinary proceedings.

During her former employment at the General Medical Council, Vicky gained extensive experience of MPTS Fitness to Practise Panel and Interim Order Panel hearings for cases involving misconduct, deficient performance, health, and conviction or multi-factorial impairments.

She attended appeals and drafted witness statements, allegations, sanction submissions and instructions for Judicial Review. She was involved in a number of high profile cases including Dr Checinski, Dr Osborne, Dr Southall, Dr Abdul-Salam and Baby P’s GP, Dr Iwueke.

Following a secondment at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Vicky has substantial experience of registration appeals, High Court applications and Substantive, Review and Interim Order hearings.