Isabella Giannone

Isabella is a dual-qualified lawyer, registered as a Solicitor of England and Wales and an Avvocato in Italy. She is an Associate in IMD Solicitors’ Family team and focuses on complex cross-border family matters involving England and Italy. Her practice centres on international family law, particularly cases requiring coordination between different legal systems, jurisdictional strategy and the management of proceedings across multiple countries.

With over 14 years of legal experience, Isabella combines extensive knowledge of Italian family law with practical experience of the English family justice system. She advises individuals, families, foreign lawyers and professional referrers on matters where international elements create additional legal, procedural or strategic complexity. Her work frequently involves jurisdiction disputes, recognition and enforcement issues, procedural coordination between courts and cross-border litigation strategy.

Since relocating to the UK, Isabella has developed a particular focus on international family matters involving financially complex and high-conflict cases. She regularly advises on issues arising from competing jurisdictions, international residence and relocation disputes, financial orders with cross-border implications and cases requiring coordinated action across England and Italy. Her dual qualification allows her to guide clients through the interaction between both legal systems while helping them understand the practical implications of decisions taken in each jurisdiction.

Isabella is particularly known for her expertise in international jurisdiction strategy. She helps clients navigate conflicts of laws, forum disputes, parallel proceedings and procedural challenges that arise when more than one country may be involved. She also advises international law firms and foreign counsel seeking English procedural input or support in matters with cross-border family law elements.

Clients value Isabella’s strategic thinking, responsiveness and attention to detail. She is recognised for identifying procedural risks and opportunities at an early stage, providing practical and legally precise advice, and maintaining clear communication throughout what are often highly sensitive and stressful disputes. Her bilingual capability enables her to communicate seamlessly with clients, lawyers and institutions in both English and Italian, while translating complex legal and procedural concepts into accessible guidance.

Isabella has acted in legally significant matters involving multiple jurisdictions and substantial procedural complexity. Her experience includes advising local authorities on cross-border family law issues, particularly where English and Italian orders require implementation or recognition in the other jurisdiction. She has also represented clients in highly contested international cases involving parallel proceedings in different countries, successfully obtaining strategic procedural outcomes that enabled proceedings to continue in the most appropriate jurisdiction.

Before qualifying as a Solicitor of England and Wales, Isabella graduated from the Università degli Studi di Messina and qualified as an Avvocato in Italy, where she developed a strong foundation in family law. She remains admitted to the Italian legal profession and brings valuable insight into the practical operation of both legal systems.

Isabella is a member of the British Italian Law Association (B.I.L.A.), Italawyers, the Manchester Law Society Family Law Committee and the Manchester Law Society International Law Committee.

Outside the office, Isabella enjoys the quieter side of life. A keen reader, she values the opportunity to unwind with a good book, spend time outdoors on long walks and enjoy the company of her cats. She believes these moments of balance and perspective help her bring focus, clarity and empathy to the often complex and sensitive matters on which she advises clients.