Laura Buchan

“Laura is extremely analytical, and her attention to detail is second-to-none. She presented cases eloquently and is ferocious when needed.” – Legal 500 Ranked Junior – Financial Remedies

“Laura has quickly become my “go-to” barrister for both Private Law and Financial Remedy cases.  Wonderful to work with, she is friendly, approachable and impeccably prepared, providing sensible and well thought-out advice to clients who appreciate her ability to blend realism with compassion.”

“Laura was excellent. She took a collaborative approach to reach an outcome that both sides were happy with. Her explanations to the client were clear and she went above and beyond to ensure that the client could understand and fully participate in the hearing (including using blue text to make documents easier to read with the client’s dyslexia and assisting the Court in setting up hearing aids). I was very impressed.”

Laura joined Westgate Chambers in 2017.  She is a busy private law children and financial remedies/TOLATA barrister, appearing in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Family courts. She is also a pupil supervisor and joint Head of Pupillage.

In her free time, Laura is a rugby fanatic having previously played herself. She regularly attends games both club and international level. Laura spends the remainder of her time with her husband and two labradors.

Financial Remedy

Laura is regularly instructed in financial remedy proceedings. She has extensive experience in dealing with complex proceedings, including pre-liminary issue hearings involving both commercial and family assets. She frequently advises and attends court dealing with issues of inheritance, crypto-assets, maintenance, interim applications and whether assets are likely to be considered matrimonial or not.

Laura also has experience on navigating proceedings when the question of capacity has arisen and the involvement of the Official Solicitor.

In addition, she has written a series of articles for High Net Worth Magazine and regularly delivers seminars both in person and online on a variety of financial remedy related topics. Laura has developed a particular specialism in cases involving crypto-assets and costs arguments. Her experience ranges from needs to sharing cases.

Laura prides herself on her unique blend of warmth and professionalism which enables her to communicate openly, clearly and effectively with both her instructing solicitors and her lay clients. 

She is also passionate about Non-Court Dispute Resolution and has been instructed within mediations, arbitrations and private FDRs.

Laura accepts instructions as a private FDR evaluator.

Private Law

Laura frequently represents parties across the full range of family law issues, including child arrangements, non-molestation and occupation orders. 

She has particular experience in matters involving complex issues of internal and international relocation, change of residence, alienating behaviours and cases involving allegations of serious emotional, physical and sexual abuse. Laura also has experience in recovery orders and enforcement.

Laura is often instructed to act for parents, grandparents and the child, through their 16.4 Guardian (both CAFCASS and NYAS).

Alongside her practice, she has provided Section 7 training to Local Authorities in consultation with CAFCASS and seminars on an array of private law matters. She is also a regular host of the Family Law Week podcasts and has been interviewed by Our Family Wizard and Lawyers Who Care.

Seminars

You can find more information on the seminars and publications that Laura has undertaken, here