Law and policy consultant
Clear, practical advice on animal welfare law, regulation and policy.
I provide legal and policy advice on animal welfare legislation and regulation, and its links to food, trade and sustainability, drawing on a background as a solicitor and advisory roles with Parliament and government.
About
I am a non-practising solicitor and animal welfare lawyer. I began my career in insurance litigation before moving into animal welfare law and policy, where I bring together legal analysis and an understanding of welfare science.
Much of my work so far has focused on companion animal welfare, including dog breeding regulation, tackling extreme conformation breeding practices, and animal licensing law and enforcement. As Legal Advisor to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare, I also contribute to the group’s work across the wider animal welfare agenda, from companion and farmed animals to wildlife, zoos and enforcement.
I hold an LLB from the University of Liverpool, an LLM in Medical Law and Ethics, and a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction in Animal Welfare, Policy and Legislation.
How I can help
Animal welfare law and policy
Clear legal analysis of animal welfare legislation and proposed reforms, across companion, equine and farmed animals.
Regulation and compliance
Comprehensive guidance on new and changing regulation, what it means day to day, and how organisations can prepare for it.
Policy advice and public affairs
Policy advice, reports, consultation responses, evidence to parliamentary inquiries, and public affairs support for engaging with government and Parliament.
Food, sustainability and trade
Policy support for organisations working where animal welfare meets food systems, supply chains and environmental regulation.
Roles and memberships
Legal Advisor
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW)
Co-developer, Innate Health Assessment
A free ten-point visual assessment of dog conformation, backed by leading animal welfare and veterinary organisations and used in 14 countries. A cat version is now in development.
Former Member, Expert Advisory Panel
DAERA review of dog breeding regulation, Northern Ireland (fixed term, ended June 2026)
Professional memberships
LAGECDogs (Legal Advisory Group on Extreme Conformation in Dogs) and A-LAW (The UK Centre for Animal Law)
Publications and speaking
To breed, or not to breed, that is the question: The Supreme Court of Norway rules on breeding dogs with extreme conformation
Howe, H., Barnes, V. and Katamine, T. Lead article, UK Journal of Animal Law 8(1): 1–10, 2024
Norwegian Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Breeding Cavalier King Charles Spaniels but rejects call for English Bulldog Breeding Ban
Barnes, V. UK Journal of Animal Law 7(2): 38–40, 2023
Strengthening legislation around dog breeding
Trees, L., Heath, M., Barnes, V. et al. Veterinary Record 193: 116–117, 2023
Canine Fertility Services report
DAERA Expert Advisory Panel, 2026
Review of Dog Breeding Regulations in Northern Ireland
DAERA Expert Advisory Panel, 2025
Legal analysis of current English legislation regarding breeding of dogs with evidence of impaired respiratory function
LAGECDogs, published by A-LAW, November 2024
Penalties for breeding dogs in breach of licensing requirements in England
LAGECDogs, published by A-LAW, March 2024
Speaking
National Institute of Licensing Conference
Upcoming, 20 November 2026
Animal Licensing Wales Conference
March 2026
CIEH Animal Welfare Conference
February 2026
UK Animal Law Conference
A-LAW, 2026 and 2024
Responsible Dog Breeding and Ownership Summit
Welsh Government, October 2024
Norwegian Symposium on Dog Breeding
Norway, 2023
Podcast guest on Ben the Vet and Sit, Paws, Listen.
Get in touch
For consultancy enquiries, speaking invitations or collaboration, please email me.