Louise Sapstead

Louise was called to the bar in 2004 and joined what was then KCH Barristers the same year. Whilst initially practicing in all areas of law, Louise has specialised in family law since 2009. Having a mixed background allows Louise to understand how the different areas of law intersect.

Louise continues to act in Care, Private Law and Family Finances cases believing that being in a position to represent clients at all kinds of proceedings is a considerable asset.

Louise is instructed on a Direct Access basis and enjoys the particular challenge and flexibility that this service provides a client.

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Louise prides herself on representing all sides in this often contentious and emotional area of family law. This allows her to understand the motivations, strategies and priorities of the ‘other side’. She has consequently represented Local Authorities with the same vigour as parents, grandparents, children via their CAFCASS Guardians, intervenors and teenagers.

She has dealt with all levels of hearing and Court. Fact finding hearings have considered serious injuries to children and babies, sexual abuse, significant physical and emotional injury. A more recent case involved the battle raged between two sides of a family following the murder of a parent.

The use of interpreters and intermediaries is increasingly common and Louise is very experienced with tailoring her explanations to the particular needs of a client.

This area of law provides a particular kind of challenge to all parties involved. Louise has considerable experience in acting for parents, children and other family members. Increasingly at least one party is representing themselves and Louise believes that dealing with such litigants with respectful but firm challenge is often a successful approach.

As with care proceedings, Louise has acted in a variety of Fact Finding hearings. She was also instructed in a complex High Court case with PII issues warranting an open and closed procedure.

Louise enjoys the different demands required in this area of law.

She has dealt with weighty cases and those involving significant financial conduct and fraud. She is sensitive to the significant emotional issues involved in these types of cases, particularly difficult when the Court pays little heed, as well as the often more challenging cases where assets cannot meet needs.

In addition to acting as an advocate within court proceedings, Louise is also available for instruction for out of court processes such as Private FDRs and Early Neutral Evaluations. You can find out more about these processes here.