Elizabeth Francis > Hanne & Co > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Elizabeth Francis

020 7228 0017 elizabeth@hanne.co.uk View profile

Work Department

Family & Divorce

Position

Partner

Career

Since qualifying in 1984, Liz has helped build Hanne & Co’s Family Department into one of the largest in London.

Liz has vast experience and has come across almost any matrimonial law situation possible. Her focus now is on financial issues flowing from  relationship breakdown and her areas of expertise include:

• Divorce
• Financial settlement upon divorce
• Nuptial agreements
• Trusts of Land disputes between unmarried couples
• Schedule 1 Children Act proceedings

She has particular experience in cases involving business assets, properties with third party interests and  unusual or complex assets. Liz is also a Resolution accredited specialist (Cohabitation and TOLATA, Complex Financial Remedies 1 and Complex Financial Remedies 2).

Her approach is to assess the assets and claims at the earliest stage and, always look to settlement to avoid expensive, upsetting and unpredictable court proceedings. Her skill and experience mean that she achieves this in most of her cases.

Liz is a believer in alternative dispute resolution and will consider what may be appropriate in each case. Liz is also a trained collaborative lawyer and has successfully dealt with many cases using this method.

As she comments: “I like to look at the bigger picture and think it particularly important to give clear advice about the risks of litigation, and to be realistic and honest in my advice.”

However, where the situation requires, Liz will turn to litigation and her deeply forensic approach to unravelling and understanding the extent of assets not readily apparent is brought to bear on behalf of her clients.

Liz is an excellent listener and genuinely cares about her clients, aiming always to achieve the best outcome so they can move on with their lives emotionally and with financial security.

Liz co-wrote Divorce & Separation in Hong Kong published by Oxford University Press when she practiced in Hong Kong for some years in the 1990s.

Memberships

Liz is a member of Resolution and  a Resolution accredited specilist in 3 areas,Complex Financial Remedies (I & II) and Cohabitation and Tolata. Liz is also a trained Collaborative lawyer.

Education

Sheffield University.