3PB

Family, Property and Estates

Luke is a financial remedies and TOLATA specialist, and Private FDR evaluator. He advises and represents clients across the full spectrum of financial remedies work, from first appointment to final hearing and interim applications. Luke is also at home undertaking work under Schedule 1 of the Children Act.

Luke is also experienced in child maintenance appeals. He advises directly on appeals to the Child Maintenance Service and is able to represent clients at the Social Entitlement Chamber. His experience in this regard provides a useful crossover to his financial remedies practice.

Luke is approachable, calm, confident and able to put his clients at ease: utilising the skills he acquired in his previous life in the entertainment industry. He offers a sensible, pragmatic and persuasive approach to the matters in which he is instructed.

Luke offers a principled, interest-focused approach to negotiations, whether at FDR, mediation or through correspondence. Luke understands that the key to a successfully negotiated outcome is achieving an outcome that satisfies both parties’ interests. He pursues that goal with compassion, laser-focus and issue-centric advocacy.

Luke is an experienced trial advocate. He is regularly praised for his clear and effective cross-examination and his ability to consolidate his trial preparation with the evidence to create a compelling closing speech.

Biography

Luke has an unusual biography for a barrister, having been the drummer and manager of a heavy metal band until 2014, playing numerous concerts across the UK and recording an album during a six-year career in the music industry; all while managing a successful pool bar.

Prior to his career at the Bar, Luke also worked as a part-time lecturer in Family Law at the University of Gloucestershire.

Interests

Outside work, music still remains a great interest, as well as heath, fitness and cooking.

Family

Luke undertakes a primarily finance-based practice: specialising in financial remedies, co-ownership disputes and contested divorce. Luke is known for his down-to-earth, practical and pragmatic approach to financial cases as well as his deft client care skills. He approaches all matters knowing that his clients are experiencing one of the most difficult times of their lives and endeavours to ease their burden with an easy rapport and clear advice.

Luke taught private family law and financial remedies at the University of Gloucester before joining chambers and uses this experience in the matters in which he is instructed.

Property and Estates

Luke has a particular interest in matters arising out of the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 and is comfortable advising and advocating in concurrent Schedule 1 Children Act matters. Luke provides advice in conference or on paper and has a sound knowledge of the principles of equitable accounting and occupation rent.

Luke is a skilled mediation advocate. He utilises his knowledge of the law to achieve practical, client-led solutions which work (so far as possible) for both sides. Luke understands that the key to successful mediation is identifying and addressing each party’s competing interests and developing a solution that satisfies both.

Luke has recent experience in the following:

• Drafting statements of case and advising on prospects and offers pre-issue
• Advising and appearing in all hearings from inception of the claim, to CCMC to final hearing
• Advising in relation to the establishment of a constructive trust based on an agreement which was never executed, where the defendant was refusing to make mortgage payments over the property and possession proceedings were impending
• Advising and representing a client in a case involving large contributions from both sides, a reconciliation and considerable sums spent on renovations
• Representing a client in a long-running case alongside Children Act sch 1 proceedings where the respondent had suppressed the profit-earning capacity of the business in order to remain in the FFH
• Advising on a matter involving an agreement to transfer the beneficial interest in a property where the buy-out sum was never paid
• Obtaining strike out and summary judgment against a company who wrongfully asserted the existence of a common intention constructive trust, proprietary estoppel and agreement to dispose of beneficial interest in domestic property

Year of Call: 2017