Laura Rowe

Barrister | 2021

Danae Larham

Background

Laura joined Cornwall Street after the successful completion of her Bar Practice Course.  After completing the BPC, Laura worked as a Paralegal at a regional law firm, working directly alongside a Family Barrister in a range of matrimonial finance and private law children matters.

She was also a County Court Advocate and represented clients in a variety of Civil matters including infant settlements, housing disputes, Consumer Credit Act disputes and general applications.

Laura completed her pupillage in 2023 under the supervision of Sarah Anderson and
Jonathan Veasey-Pugh.


Education

    • Bar Practice Course (BPC) (Very Competent), University of Law (Birmingham)
    • Master of Law (LLM) (Distinction), University of Law (Birmingham)
    • Graduate Diploma in Law, University of Law (Bristol)
    • BA History, University of Exeter

 

 

Laura’s expertise

Family

Laura specialises in Family Law and has a broad range of experience which enables her to provide high-quality knowledge and advice. She undertakes work well beyond her level of call and is eager to expand her Family Law practice. Laura is known for her ability to quickly build rapport (including with the most vulnerable clients), and for always being well-prepared to robustly and fiercely represent her clients.

Private Law
In the private law arena, Laura acts for parties within final contested hearings, multi-day fact-finding hearings and interim hearings. These matters often involve allegations of domestic abuse including serious sexual abuse, controlling and coercive behaviour and parental alienation.

Laura has also successfully acted for parents in cases involving 16.4 Guardians, as well as committal proceedings and matters involving declarations of parentage. Laura also accepts instructions in domestic abuse proceedings, she takes a pragmatic and holistic approach whilst providing excellent client case, particularly when dealing with vulnerable clients.

Public Law
Laura regularly accepts instructions from local authorities, parents and children at all stages of proceedings, including case management hearings, issues resolution hearings, and final hearings. She is approachable and empathetic but able to provide robust advice where appropriate.

Financial Remedy
Laura has a wide range of experience within financial remedy proceedings from her work and experience prior to joining the Bar. She takes a realistic approach, considering costs and can negotiate a successful and positive settlement for clients, whilst also providing robust advocacy and deal with contested matters where required. She has a growing practice and is eager to undertake further work at all stages, from FDA to Final Hearing.

Court of Protection
Laura has also recently undertaken Court of Protection work, including a matter linked with a Forced Marriage Protection Order. Laura has undergone training in this field and is keen to accept further instructions.

Notable Cases
    • B v B (Fact Finding) [2024] EWFC 386 (B) – Laura successfully represented the Respondent Mother in a reported two-day fact-finding hearing before a Circuit Judge where allegations were made by both parties. Significant findings of domestic abuse and harm caused to the child were made against the Applicant Father. This case concluded at a contested Final Hearing with a Final Order being made for letterbox contact with the Applicant Father only.
    • S v A – Laura successfully represented the Paternal Grandparent at a Final Hearing, seeking a declaration of parentage for their deceased child and regular contact with their grandchild. All orders sought by her client were made.
    • O v G – Laura successfully represented the Respondent Mother at a two-day fact-finding hearing involving serious allegations of physical violence, drug misuse, controlling behaviour and financial abuse. This resulted in a Final Order in favour of the Respondent Mother and letterbox contact with the Applicant Father only.
    • P v M – Laura successfully represented the Applicant Father who had made allegations of parental alienation in a four-day fact-finding hearing before a Circuit Judge. Findings of parental alienation were made against the Respondent Mother.
    • I v I – Laura successfully appealed against a Final Order made by Lay Justices. This included drafting grounds of appeal within a tight deadline and dealing with the appeal hearing before a Circuit Judge. The appeal was successful and the original order dismissed.
    • H v F – Laura successfully represented the Respondent Mother within a three-day fact-finding hearing dealing with allegations of rape and sexual assault, controlling and coercive behaviour and physical violence towards the subject children. This hearing resulted in significant findings being made.
Testimonials

“[Laura’s] document was really well written, focused and helpful. Her advocacy was very competent, and the orders are excellent.”

“Thank you once again for your hard work and preparation in this matter. I believe it was a fair and positive result and the client is happy with the outcome.”

Thank you for the excellent news that you won! The client (as you probably know) is delighted. She told me that you were absolutely excellent and was very impressed with how organised you were… I will certainly be instructing you again.”

Memberships
    • Family Law Bar Association
    • West Midlands Family Law Bar Association
    • Women in Family Law
    • Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Scholarships and Awards

Laura was the recipient of scholarships from both the University of Exeter and the International Institute of Education.

Interests

In her spare time, Laura enjoys travelling and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys running (recently having completed her first half-marathon and taking up Hyrox), playing netball and attending gym classes.