‘Francesca is a very strong advocate. She is tenacious and strongly makes her client’s case. She is incredibly personable, and clients love her because she installs great confidence in them.’
Legal 500, 2024

Experience

Year of Call: 2004

Qualifications

Diploma in Ayurvedic Consultancy 2014

Education

Lancaster University BA (Hons)
Manchester University CPE/PGDL 2002
Manchester University BVC 2003

Appointments

Called to the Bar of England and Wales 2004
Called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands 2009

Profile

Francesca is an advocate with expertise in all matrimonial, International and private law children work. Francesca is often instructed in international disputes particularly in complex offshore matters involving trusts and partnerships in the context of high
net worth divorce and on complex international pre-nuptial agreements. She is also often instructed on complex case involving the movement of children around the world.


In addition to being called to the Bar of England and Wales, Francesca has also been called to the Bar of Cayman Islands. From late 2008 to late 2014 Francesca practised as an Attorney for Samson & McGrath in the Cayman Islands. During this time, Francesca appeared before the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal on numerous occasions and was involved in multiple high net worth ‘offshore’ financial remedy cases. In addition, with the Cayman Islands being highly transient in nature, Francesca was often instructed in permanent relocation children cases.

Like many successful members of the Bar, she developed a substantial international practice advising client’s all over the world to include England, BVI, New York, Australia, Switzerland and Hong Kong. Like many other international practitioners, Francesca is easily able to maintain a highly effective international practice.

Francesca’s reputation is for being firm and robust but fair, getting to the heart of a problem efficiently and with excellent judgment. She is also known for having outstanding client management skills.

Professional Memberships

Family Law Bar Association
Free Representation Unit
Bar Pro Bono Unit
Middle Temple
Association of Lawyers of Children
Institute of Family Law Arbitrators
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

 

Recommendations

“Francesca is an excellent advocate with meticulous preparation making her a formidable adversary whilst at the same time being personable and professional to deal with. Her cross border experience is extensive.”
Laura Hatfield, Solomon Harris


“I conducted a relocation case against Francesca at first instance and in the Cayman Court of Appeal, and found her to be effective, efficient and well-prepared.” – Nicholas Cusworth Q.C

“I would recommend Francesca to anyone who is considering hiring her. Her professionalism, personable approach and attention to detail are among her notable qualities.”
Claire Pettinati, Owner Kaibo, Cayman Islands:

Directories

‘Francesca is a powerhouse when it comes to financial work. She gets to the heart of the case immediately and knows where to take the case.’
Legal 500 2024, Family (Including Divorce and Financial Remedy)

‘Francesca is a very strong advocate. She is tenacious and strongly makes her client’s case. She is incredibly personable, and clients love her because she installs great confidence in them.’
Legal 500 2024, Family (Including Children and Domestic Abuse)

‘Francesca is fabulous with figures. She is a highly skilled finance practitioner. She is highly respected by her peers and solicitors alike.’
Legal 500 2023, Family (Including Divorce and Financial Remedy) 

‘Francesca is an extremely hardworking and likeable barrister who is empathetic but practical, offering sensitive advice often when it may be unpalatable for the client to hear. Her drafting skills and delivery time are exceptional, and attention to detail is impeccable.’
Legal 500 2023, (Children Law)

‘An experienced advocate with expertise across the matrimonial spectrum, Francesca Dowse comes with a glowing testimony from an industry-watcher (a senior family lawyer herself). Other colleagues praise her highly persuasive advocacy, her tactical mindset and her personable approach.’
Spears Review, 2022

‘A formidable advocate. Clients are reassured by her no-nonsense advice, and judges are impressed by her focus and pragmatism. She will fight for her clients but will also give tough advice if needed, and her judgement is impeccable.’
Legal 500, 2022

‘An excellent advocate with a pragmatic, analytical and incisive approach. One of her many strengths is being able to put the client at ease before and during a hearing. Her cross border experience is extensive.’
Legal 500, 2021


‘Is very clever and applies her intelligence most productively in analysing cases for the best and weakest points and then comes up with a strategy to deal with both.’‘One of her undoubted strengths is in being able to put the client at ease before and during a hearing and to ensure that the case is presented clearly.’
Legal 500, 2020

‘She is a reassuring presence and clients trust her.’ ‘Provides clear and confident representation.’
Legal 500, 2019

‘She has a very persuasive style in court and instils great confidence in clients..’ ‘She will fight for the best outcome for her clients and is a fantastic tactician..’
Legal 500, 2017