LOUISE BANCROFT

MA (Oxon)

Call 1985     Inner Temple

Family and private client

 

Email:  bancroft@deanscourt.co.uk 
Clerk:   lmcarty@deanscourt.co.uk

 

Areas of Practice

 

What the Directories say

'gritty', 'is a devil for detail' and has the 'ability to assimilate a staggering amount of information in a short period of time. A silk in everthing but name.'
- Chambers Uk (2012)
'highly recommended for financial matters'
- Legal 500 (2011)
'practises at the high end of the matrimonial finance market, and is praised for her meticulous preparation and forthright advocacy'
- Chambers UK (2011)
'strong financial practice’
- Legal 500 (2010)
‘A real star for money work….A tough, plain-speaking negotiator.’ – Chambers UK (2009/10)
'reputation for fighting hard in ancillary relief applications'
- Legal 500  (2009)
‘If you can get Louise Bancroft, you don't need London’
– Chambers UK 2008
‘Tough and determined’
– Legal 500  (2008)
‘Very thorough and commercial in her approach…. An open manner, which impresses Judges’
– Chambers UK 2007‘
'A rottweiler in Court’
– Chambers UK 2006 

Legal 500

 Individual

 

Appointments

2002      Recorder (Northern Circuit) – Crime & Family  

 

Education

Inns of Court School of Law
Diploma in Law (GDL) University of Westminster
St Annes College Oxford (M.A. Modern History)
Casterton School, Kirkby Lonsdale  

 

Profile

Louise began her career in pupillage at Deans Court Chambers in 1985 supervised by HH Tony Hammond and HH Gill Ruaux.   She is now Head of the Family Team at Deans Court.

Since 1992 Louise has specialised entirely in family law and continues to accept instructions in all areas.   However, as the directories attest Louise’s speciality is matrimonial finance where she is in constant demand from solicitors in the North West, nationally and further afield, including the Isle of Man. 

Louise is a highly experienced ancillary relief practitioner with a reputation for dealing with the more challenging high net worth cases especially those with complex corporate structures and overseas assets. Her particular interest is in cases involving family businesses and she has a strong grasp of the commercial and financial issues required to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Louise has also been involved in several cases where there has been substantial non-disclosure of off-shore assets by the other party leading to enhanced awards for her clients.  She has substantial experience of obtaining and resisting injunctive relief including world-wide freezing injunctions (Mareva) and cases with an international element including jurisdictional issues.  She also has experience of enforcement procedures in an international context.

Louise accepts instructions to advise in respect of pre and post nuptial settlements.

Louise is also regularly instructed in high value cases involving unmarried couples (often sports personalities) in respect of Schedule 1 applications and property disputes.

Equally at home advising on settlement as she is in court and Louise is noted as a strong and effective cross-examiner. She has a reputation for meticulous preparation and very high quality paper work with an eye to the detail required for the work she undertakes. Louise is personable and her down to earth approach is appreciated by solicitors, clients and judges.  She enjoys close team work with solicitors believing that this maximises results for the client.

 

Notable Cases

 

Professional Associations

Northern Circuit
Family Law Bar Association Child Concern
UK Association of Women Judges (Associate Member)