Our People

Tim Bancroft

Position: 
Solicitor since 1988/Partner

Education:
Law Degree (Honours) Durham University, Solicitor Finals College of Law Chancery Lane

Experience:
Wide range of disputes in all levels of courts including Court of Appeal, High Court, County and Crown Courts and many tribunals including European Commission of Human Rights including a number of cases reported in the legal press and national T.V, radio and newspapers. Published articles in professional journals and involved in number of legally significant precedent cases.

Now:
Does commercial, development and complex residential property, trusts, estate transactions, Court Proceedings and disputes in the same fields.

Outside Work:
Internet Chess occasionally beating the odd international grandmaster. Playing rugby (less well).

James Bancroft

Position:
Solicitor since 1991/Partner

Education: 
Law Degree (Honours) Durham University, Solicitors Final Examination College of Law Chancery Lane

Field of Work:
Wide range of Criminal Defence and Prisoners Rights including murder, fraud, drugs and sex offences and Proceeds of Crime disputes, a number attracting national media attention. Higher Court Advocacy Rights (Crime). Wide variety of divorce, children and financial disputes. Accredited member of Law Society’s Specialist Family Panel. Private clients, dealing with Court of Protection, Powers of Attorney Trusts and related administration.

Outside Work:
Various music (choral and brass). Walking and watching sport

Karina Chetwynd

Position:
Associate Solicitor qualified 2004.

Education:
Law degree from University of Kent at Canterbury. Solicitors final examination at College of Law Guildford.

Experience:
Specialises in Divorce, Matrimonial, Financial, Property, Children Residence and Contact UK and international, Care and Adoption Proceedings and Domestic Violence. Also deals with Court Martial and Military Law and general Civil Disputes.

Outside work:
Voluntary work for Domestic Abuse and Animal charities.

Samuel Bancroft

Position:
Partner, qualified in 2017.

Education:
Law Degree (Honours) Nottingham University,  LPC (Distinction) University of Law Guildford

Experience:
Samuel’s practice focuses on:

1. Commercial Property – purchases, sales, leases, options and promotion agreements and acting in for developers, all with and without secured finance;
2. Business Sales and Acquisitions – both frequently acting in share sales and purchases and asset sales and purchases, usually with connected commercial property transactions;
3. Civil Litigation work – focusing on commercial, property and trust disputes as well as personal injury claims; all ranging in value from a few thousand pounds up to and into millions;
4. Corporate work – concerning shareholder agreements, share options and related matters; and
5. Private client work – tax and succession planning, including with related corporate planning and frequently involving agricultural businesses and holdings.

Gary Buttfield

Position:
Senior Conveyancing Manager

Qualifications:
ACILEx.

Experience:
Specialises in a wide variety of conveyancing transactions including freehold and leasehold, residential, commercial development freehold, remortgages, right to buy, shared ownership, leasehold extensions and enfranchisement.