What can I do for you
Frances is a specialist family lawyer in our top ranked family team. She advises clients from all around the UK and overseas on the practical, legal and financial issues arising out of relationship breakdown. She has particular experience in advising business and land owners, both in negotiating financial settlements on separation and divorce, but also in protecting their businesses and/or family wealth at the outset of relationships.
Supporting your ambitions
Frances is a long-standing member of Resolution (and sits on the national Litigants in Person Working Party). She is a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. Her training enables her to offer a holistic and solution focused approach to family law issues, working with clients to achieve a settlement that meets their, and their families', specific needs.
Frances combines technical expertise with both a commercial approach to family law issues and a full understanding of the wider, emotional, impact of relationship breakdown. She has particular expertise in more esoteric cases including acting for professional trustees within divorce proceedings and on wealth protection and estate planning more generally. She leads the team's pensions on divorce strategy and is a solicitor member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' Pensions on Divorce Working Party.
What do others say
"Diligent and scrupulously fair." (Legal 500, 2025)
"One of the most intelligent lawyers I know and is also very personable." (Chambers & Partners, 2025)
"Frances is an exceptionally good lawyer who has complete confidence dealing with any complex matter." (Chambers & Partners, 2025)
"You have been a complete star from beginning to end. Perhaps first and foremost, you are an excellent communicator – quick to respond, thorough, and very sensitive to the importance of tone in drafting letters and emails. Also efficient, to the point, but friendly and good at explaining things. And then, oh miracle!, you are highly numerate, which is a rare thing in most lawyers and very much to be wished for when doing a financial settlement." (Client)
What else should you know
Frances is particularly interested in the technical and academic aspects of family law and writes regularly for various professional publications. Along with Nick Stone, she co-authored Drawing the Lines: A Guide to Family Agreements.
Outside of work, Frances is a keen Norwich City fan, occasional runner and a (very) amateur musician. She also volunteers for Norfolk Community Law Service.