What makes a good lawyer?

We believe clients should look for:

  • A strong academic grounding;
  • Excellence in the use of language in advocacy, correspondence, drafting and technical documents;
  • Imagination ,experience and enthusiasm for client problem solving;
  • Commitment to client care and confidentiality;
  • Attention to detail and scrupulous honesty;
  • Professional development and updating of knowledge with top quality research and resources

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.

Wide range of experience dealing with commercial, residential and development property companies, trusts and estates. Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme Supervisor.

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:
Wide variety of Civil Disputes ranging in value from a few thousand to £500,000 in value involving, Personal Injury, Property ownership, Commercial and Consumer Contracts, Trusts and Estates and employment issues.

Non-contentious work involving business and commercial property transactions and re-organisation involving tax and succession planning.

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.