Dornier Whittaker

Junior A

19 Feb

Written By Nick Calton, Toucan Creative

Call: 1994

Dornier Whittaker

BA (Hons) Kings College, London

City University (Diploma in Law)

Inns of Court School of Law

Middle Temple Queen Mothers Scholar

Children Law Arbitrator

Resolution

FLBA

Dornier is a highly sought after private children and financial remedy specialist. With over 30 years of experience, Dornier has a wealth of experience in complex relocation cases, intractable children disputes and is recognised for her knowledge in mid-high value financial relief cases, especially those involving companies, partnerships, farms and “hidden wealth”.

Dornier prides herself on her open and easy to approach manner with both solicitors and clients and is a firm believer in practical, no-nonsense advice. She is consistently ranked as a leading junior in the legal directories.

“Dornier is full of confidence and has amazing client care and cross-examination skills. She combines sharp legal insight with a calm, reassuring presence in court, making her a go-to choice for complex or sensitive matters. Dornier works so hard for her clients and likewise her instructing solicitor. She is without a doubt one of the best advocates on the local circuit. (Chambers & Partners, 2026).

Highly supportive of all forms of non-court dispute resolution, Dornier is regularly instructed to act on behalf of clients at round tables meetings, private FDR’s, early neutral evaluations and arbitrations. She has recently qualified as a children law arbitrator and looks forward to supporting parties in reaching non-court based resolutions.

Dornier welcomes instructions under the Direct Access scheme, providing advice and representation direct to the public.

Reputation

Dornier is ranked every year in the legal directories for both Financial Remedy and Children Law:

Chambers and Partners

"She is an excellent advocate. She can see through a complex and emotive matter and can find a way forward. She is very hands on, robust and kicks a case into order. She is a breath of fresh air and pulls out the stops. She is well prepared, has a very good client care manner and is approachable. She is unflappable even with the trickiest of opponents." (2025)

“Dornier Whittaker is a highly experienced practitioner with a practice covering finance and children matters. Her work ranges from contact arrangement orders to financial remedies and maintenance payment variations. She regularly acts for high net worth individuals.Dornier is wonderful with clients. She is reasonable and realistic in negotiations, and a top court performer. Dornier is a pleasure to deal with. She is happy to provide additional support on cases so that the client really gets a team approach."(2023)

“She is client and lawyer friendly and takes a hands-on approach. This makes working with her a very cooperative experience for not only the client but those instructing her. She is extremely thorough, clear in her advice and proactive in managing very anxious and difficult clients. She is extremely personable with clients and sees cases through while working as a team with the instructing solicitor and the client."(2022)

“Dornier is extremely experienced and is a great all-rounder for family law. She is very client-friendly and her advice is easily understood."(2018)

“Extremely skilled in private law work relating to children as well as financial family disputes. She has previously advised on complicated separations involving farming and corporate assets, in addition to complex child relocations. She is sensible, charming and empathetic, and really excellent at managing difficult people."(2017)

Legal 500

"Dornier is without a doubt one of the most tenacious and skilled advocates on circuit; she has the ability to work with often anxious and difficult client, making them feel at ease, while offering them frank and honest advice, which is a difficult skill to master and she can do this with ease. Dornier is able to think outside the box, suggesting resolutions which other advocates would not consider, and as well as her personal skills and advocacy, she has a wealth of knowledge in the area of the law, using that knowledge to the best of her ability and adapting that knowledge to each clients needs, while being frank and honest. Dornier has a formidable presence in court, immense passion and energy, and relatable warmth. She is exceptionally good with clients."(2026)

“Dornier is assiduous in her preparation. She has a brilliantly disarming style of advocacy, as well as the ability to immediately win a client's confidence. Dornier is a tenacious advocate. Her knowledge of the law is outstanding, and she exhibits exceptional insight in handling cases.” (2025)

“Dornier adopts a very hands on approach. She is always available and puts clients at ease from the very start. She combines a no-nonsense approach with a robust and clear approach to cross-examination.Dornier is a fearless advocate. She relates very well to clients, works extremely hard for them, and is always well prepared.”(2023 & 2024)

”She is calmly reassuring with clients in what can be difficult cases. Her advice is sound and rational.”(2022)

“Specialises in private law children and financial matters.”(2020)

“She has an ability to think outside of the box and is very good on her feet.” (2017)

“She is impressive on her feet without being unpleasant or resorting to bullying.”(2025)

Seminars

Dornier delivers seminars to solicitors and other legal professionals throughout the North of England and beyond. Dornier has recently covered:

• Variation of Final Income and Capital Orders

• Internal and external relocation

• Private Children Update for Spring 2024

• A Practical Guide to Frequent Issues Encountered in Private Law Applications

• Disclosure & Pensions - Practical Tips to Aid Settlement

• Top Tips: Practice, Procedure & Preparation for the FDA, FDR and Final Hearing

• Top Tips on Practice & Procedure in Private Law Children

• Private Law Children – Essential Update 2

• Costs Update in Private Law Proceedings

Notable Cases

Private Children (2024)

Representing applicant F on shared care application to his son. F making serious concessions about abusive behaviour to M and child. 12 months of supervised contact followed by last 6 months of gradual build-up of time with child in community. F seeking 50/50 shared care following lengthy assessment by Cafcass and seeking long term PSO on grounds that M is a serious flight risk abroad. M opposing shared care alleging F still presenting risk and there should be ‘live with’ order in her favour with no intention to move abroad. Composite hearing ordered with a shared care arrangement being ordered by the court.

Private Children (2024)

Representing applicant M on her application to permanently relocate with the 3 dependent children abroad. M making application to relocate on grounds that she could not find flexible full time medical role in her area and main financial supporter of the children despite F having full time job. M has some family chosen country who she could also rely on for support. Relocation opposed by Cafcass on basis that F unlikely to see the children more than 3 to 4 times per year which would damage his relationship with them. M given permission to relocate.

Private Children (2024)

Representing applicant F on M’s application to relocate with child abroad. Complex history with M making allegations of domestic abuse by F to herself and child. F making confessions that had lost temper with both of them on 2 occasions. Court ordering supervised contact with build-up into community and extended overnights over 6-month period. M wanting to relocate permanently for family support and help with her health issues. Judge did not grant M permission to relocate and made shared care order for the child in the UK.

Financial Remedy (2024)

Representing respondent H. Four Children. Assets of £4m to divide. W and children returning to UK after 10 years abroad with property in both countries including H’s 3 figure car collection and substantial investment in bitcoin. Complexity as to future income earning capacity H working abroad and earning substantial tax free income. W seeking substantial PPs for 10 years with H’s case being that planning to move to another country to cohabit with new partner where work will pay much less.

Financial Remedy (2024)

Representing respondent W – assets of c 6m. Farming case complicated by how W should receive a fair capital award including the sale of land and assets of income from businesses both parties set up. Matter complicated by proprietary estopple application by a family member who lived in a cottage on the land and was separately represented. Lump sum of £3m to W by instalments.

Financial Remedy (2024)

Representing W in financial remedy proceedings with her son joined as Intervenor. Complex case -before issuing proceedings H and his business partner joint shareholders in company business – at FDA H disclosed transferred his shareholding son. SJE business valuation obtained – total value of company shares £3 m with H alleging nil value to himself. W applying for section 37 order, with shares to be transferred back to H. Complexity as to it being her son and how much company could afford to pay W by way of lump sum to provide a fair award. W to receive lump sum of £1.5 m through lump sum from company and property transfer.

Financial Remedy (2024)

Representing respondent H. Long marriage with 2 children. Assets base of £3m tied up in the FMH and H’s business. W off sick from work for months. SJE psychiatric and occupational therapy reports with W wanting PPs for life - alleging uncertain future income earning. H supporting phased return to work and proposing mesher order for 3-year term and thereafter clean break with W receiving all proceeds of FMH. Award made with W remaining in FMH for 5 years with PP's still then and thereafter a clean break.

Clerks

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