Valentina graduated from the University of Glasgow with an LL.B in Scots Law, a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and an LL.M in Corporate and Financial Law with Distinction.
Throughout her traineeship and after qualifying as a solicitor, Valentina worked with a very busy criminal firm, appearing in the Sheriff Court and regularly instructing Counsel in the High Court. During her time in practice as a solicitor, Valentina completed the Diploma in Forensic Medical Sciences from the Society of Apothecaries.
As a devil, Valentina assisted her Devilmaster in preparation for the UK Supreme Court case of ABC and XY [2019]. Since calling to the Bar in 2020, Valentina has been regularly instructed to Junior to Senior Counsel in the High Court of Justiciary and has extensive experience in complex and voluminous cases.
In addition to her criminal defence practice, Valentina has also been instructed as Crown Junior to Senior Advocate Deputes in a number of lengthy and complex prosecutions in the High Court, including murder and serious and organised crime.
Petition to the nobile officium by RR v HM Advocate and LV [2020] – Junior counsel for the intervenors (Rape Crisis Scotland)
HM Advocate v Ross Willox [2021] – Crown Junior in a lengthy and complex murder trial.
HM v Alfredo Ciociola [2022] – Junior to Senior Counsel in multiple deaths by dangerous driving trial.
HM Advocate v Isla Bryson [2023] – Junior to Senior Counsel in a rape trial involving a transgender accused.
HM Advocate v Elaine Lannery + 10, [2023] – Junior to Senior Counsel in the high profile eleven accused trial which lasted two months. A complex case involving a number of child complainers.
HM Advocate v Barry Harvey + 3, [2023-2024] – Crown Junior in a very lengthy and complex multi-accused and multi-complainer serious and organised crime case which lasted for three months. A complex case involving a significant amount of disclosure.