Francisca Da Costa has a real interest in protecting the rights of the underprivileged which has resulted in a natural attraction to Criminal and Family Law. She enjoys a good rapport with clients and remains calm in tricky situations.

Francisca regularly appears in the Criminal Courts. She has dealt with a wide range of offences including benefit fraud, drug smuggling and cultivation, violence, sexual offences and driving matters. Francisca prosecutes on behalf of government agencies including the Department of Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs. She also has an interest in undertaking work on behalf of the RSPCA in animal cruelty prosecutions.

Recent cases of note include:

R v Legg - First on the indictment in a Robbery trial running a cut throat defence

R v Alcantara - Successfully represented a Brazilian alleged ‘flasher’ who was acquitted on a technical mens rea Defence

R v Gibbon & others - Junior in a 9 handed long established conspiracy to supply Cocaine

R v Graham - Acquittal of a self confessed stalker on ‘reasonable in all circumstances’ Defence

Dorset County Council v D - Acted for the local authority in a sensitive matter where a 16 year old was placed on the Sex Offenders Register

In her Family practice, Francisca predominately acts for parents and grandparents in private and public children law matters. She also has experience of non-molestation and occupation proceedings, domestic violence, Section 8 orders, parents and children with special needs and victims of emotional and sexual abuse.

Recent cases of note include:

H v D - Acted for Mother in domestic violence Finding of Fact hearing and ultimately prevented Father from having Contact with their Children

Re: Baby K - Represented Mother of 24 hour old baby in Emergency Protection Order hearing

B v V - Acted for mentally ill Father in Contact proceedings

In her civil practice, Francisca advises and represents Claimants and Defendants in both small and fast track claims and has experience of contractual disputes, credit hire, liability spats, insolvency proceedings and personal injury matters.

In addition to her busy practice, Francisca satirically recounts her adventures as a Junior Barrister in a weekly online blog. In her spare time, she devotes herself to singing, theatre, the great outdoors, Portuguese ‘comes e bebes’, literature, Amnesty International, animal welfare, Private Eye and travelling.