Our team
Michael has many years’ experience in Wills, probate, trusts and Inheritance Tax planning.
Michael is the senior partner. He attended Manchester University where he obtained a law degree. Michael qualified as a solicitor in January 1970. He did his training in Bristol and worked there for two years, subsequently moving to Somerset, and coming to Banbury in May 1974. He became a partner in F B Hancock & Co in April 1975.
He has, apart from his time in Bristol, always worked in a rural environment. In the early years, most of Michael’s work was in the residential and commercial conveyancing fields. In later years, he has concentrated more on Wills and probate, trusts and Inheritance Tax planning.
He has numerous clients in the Banbury area. Although some have migrated to different parts of the country, he continues to act for them. Michael also works for clients who have moved to Germany, the United States, France, Australia and elsewhere.
On the rare occasions when Michael is not working, he tries to indulge his passion for salmon and trout fishing, and he is a keen follower of Formula 1.
Michael is supported by his personal assistant Lindsey Reading.
You can contact Michael or Lindsey on 01295 253211.
Matt is an assistant solicitor, working with Ian Davies, Siobhan Sibley and Laura Parker. He has a keen interest in family law and civil litigation.
Matt studied law at Oxford Brookes University. He then went on to study the combined Legal Practice Course and Masters in Law at the University of Law.
Matt joined Hancocks in September 2017 to undertake his period of recognised training. During that time, he worked in the family, civil litigation, conveyancing and private client departments giving him a broad overview of various areas of law.
Matt qualified in September 2019 and deals with all aspects of family work, alongside Ian Davies and Laura Parker. This includes divorce/dissolution, separation, financial settlements, cohabitation agreements and child arrangements. He has a special interest in pre-nuptial agreements, having written his Masters essay on the subject.
Matt also worked in the civil litigation department, alongside Siobhan Sibley, where he gained experience of various contested matters. He was lucky enough to work on several matters where we were able to achieve a positive settlement for the client avoiding the need for court action. He hopes to continue working for businesses and individuals to resolve disputes through proactive intervention.
Going forward, Matt will continue working alongside Ian, Siobhan and Laura in the family and litigation departments with both new and existing clients. He enjoys working with clients and helping them through a difficult time.
Matt lives in Banbury, having moved from Hampshire. He enjoys watching football, F1 and rugby. He is a Manchester City supporter but has a soft spot for Oxford United.
You can contact Matt on 01295 253211.
George is a talented legal executive who joined Hancocks when we acquired Brooks Law.
George studied law at Staffordshire University before graduating from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) course, and he is now a member of CILEx. He has worked in law since a young age and began his legal experience by working for two large firms in Warwickshire.
After working for Brooks Law Solicitors, a traditional, high street practice in Shipston-on-Stour, George moved to a larger firm based in Rugby, in 2013, where he practised residential conveyancing. However, in 2014, he returned to the family business in Shipston, in order to set up its probate department.
George has wide experience in private client work, including Will drafting, grant applications, administration of estates and preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney.
George joined Hancocks in June 2017, following its acquisition of Brooks Law, and growing its “Wills and probate” capacity. He enjoys meeting clients face to face and is really passionate about helping people through what can be a difficult and emotional time.
George lives in Shipston-on-Stour with his partner and their son. He enjoys all types of sport but his passion is football and he is an avid supporter of Brighton & Hove Albion. He also enjoys long country walks with his partner and their dog, and they try to fit in as many weekend trips as they can.
You can contact George on 01608 686950.
Ian qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and has been working in the area of family law since then. He is a member of Resolution and the Law Society Family Law Scheme and he is committed to helping his clients achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their families.
Ian is a member of Resolution and the Law Society Family Law Scheme. He read law at the University of Teesside and qualified as a solicitor in 2002. His first post-qualification position was with Kidd Rapinet, and he had successful spells at Gorvins in Milton Keynes, IBB in Chesham and Hine in Oxford. Ian moved to Hancocks as a partner in January 2015.
Ian is Head of the Family Law team and is based at our office in Banbury, although he frequently attends the Brailes office for client and other meetings.
“Family” covers a wide range but Ian deals with divorce and financial settlements, pre-nuptial and post-marital agreements, civil partnership dissolution, co-habitation disputes, injunctions, and a wide variety of issues relating to children following relationship breakdown.
He represents not only high net worth individuals with large and complex asset bases, both in the UK and abroad, but also clients with limited assets. Ian has specialist knowledge of Armed Forces/Police and final salary pension schemes.
Ian’s clients often compliment him for his straightforward and thoughtful advice. They also value his ability to think outside the box when it comes to finding and considering solutions.
Ian is a useful “corporate golfer” and a season ticket holder at MK Dons. However, he can occasionally be found at Old Trafford cheering on his beloved Manchester United.
Ian’s secretary is Zoe Nairn.
You can contact Ian or Zoe on 01608 686590.
Andrew is a highly experienced commercial property specialist once described by a corporate client’s surveyor as the best lawyer he had ever dealt with for speed of response.
Andrew read history at the University of York and qualified as a solicitor in 1991 with one of the then big four Birmingham firms. He eventually moved to a large commercial firm in Northampton where he was an associate and subsequently set up his own practice in Cropredy near Banbury in 2000.
In 2008, his practice amalgamated with a “boutique” corporate firm in Marlow, Buckinghamshire where he was the commercial property partner. However, returning to “Banburyshire”, he joined Hancocks on 1 November 2013.
Andrew does freehold and leasehold commercial and agricultural property work, including property finance, investment and development. He also does non-contentious corporate and personal insolvency, and very high value residential property work.
In addition to the usual commercial leases and related licences (many in London and the Thames Valley), he also does a certain amount of contentious landlord and tenant work, statutory notices, break options, dilapidations claims, and overriding leases.
And, in addition to the usual institutional lending work, he has also done a certain amount of personal, secured lending.
He has also acted in connection with the sale or purchase of a number of licensed premises and other small businesses (both assets and shares) as going concerns.
His commercial clients include commercial and residential property investment/development companies, trustees of directors’ pension schemes, farmers and hotels, and they vary from SMEs to PLCs.
Agricultural instructions include the dissolution of a farming partnership.
Residential instructions include buying a block of around 20 flats in central London under the collective enfranchisement legislation, then extending the participating members’ leases. Also, buying and selling numerous flats and houses in London and outside, some for many millions. And acting for a residential property development company in connection with a dozen plot estate in Cumbria, from start to finish.
Andrew has two daughters, who share his love of skiing, and one boy, a Border Collie.
You can contact Andrew on 01295 253211.
Laura offers a straightforward approach to conveyancing and wills and probate.
Laura read law at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and went on to complete the Legal Practice Course in Cardiff. She trained, and qualified in January 2008, with a firm in South Wales. Then she went on to become a director before returning home to her roots in Oxfordshire in January 2015. She spent some time with local Oxfordshire firms before returning to her Welsh firm and setting up a branch for them in Bicester dealing with clients in both Oxfordshire and Wales. Now she focuses on more local work and has opened a branch of Hancocks in Bicester.
Laura specialises in residential and light commercial conveyancing and all property and land matters including leasehold enfranchisement. She has considerable experience with shared ownership and new-build purchases. She also deals with Wills and probate and Powers of Attorney.
The recurring theme of feedback from clients is that Laura goes above and beyond to get things done. She believes that every problem has a solution and offers practical no-nonsense advice.
Laura was admitted as one of the first female Freemen of the City of Oxford in 2008 and has two young boys who keep her busy outside of work.
Charlotte Skehan is Laura’s secretary. You can contact Laura or Charlotte on 01869 228980.
Laura has 10 years’ post-qualification experience. She offers a welcoming friendly face to clients.
Laura read forensic science and criminology at the University of Lincoln. She then went on to complete the law conversion course at the College of Law, York. Laura qualified as a solicitor in September 2008 and, before her life in family law, she worked as a criminal duty solicitor in Oxfordshire.
In January 2013, having decided to pursue a previously held interest in family law, Laura joined Hine Solicitors. While she was at Hine, she retrained with Ian Davies. Laura joined Ian, at Hancocks, in August 2016. She became an associate in January 2018.
Her previous experience affords Laura a good understanding of client expectations and how to meet them, together with a strong advocacy base.
As a member of Resolution, she believes a non-confrontational, constructive approach is in the best interests of her clients. When she is negotiating with ex-partners and their solicitors this has proven very successful for her clients.
Laura deals with all aspects of Cotswold Family Law’s work, including divorce/dissolution, separation, financial settlements, pre-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements and child arrangements.
Laura grew up in West Oxfordshire and now lives with her husband and daughter, and their dog near Chipping Norton. She enjoys long dog walks with a pub lunch as the destination.
Zoe Nairn is Laura’s secretary.
You can contact Laura or Zoe on 01608 686950.
Toni heads our conveyancing team and is highly acclaimed for her approach to elderly and vulnerable clients.
Toni is Head of Conveyancing and a full member of Solicitors for the Elderly. Toni and her secretary do much of the conveyancing work, assisted by completions manager Dawn Whittle. She also gets involved with Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyship work.
Toni read law at the University of Central England and joined Hancocks when she qualified, in October 1998. She obtained a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners diploma in 2013. Toni became a partner in May 2018.
Toni gets rave reviews from clients both for her use of Plain English and for her “bedside manner” with vulnerable clients.
She specialises in all kinds of residential conveyancing; for example, freehold, leasehold (including lease extensions), re-mortgages, equity release schemes and declarations of trust.
She also specialises in elderly client and mental capacity work; for example, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyships, Court of Protection/Office of the Public Guardian work, and occasional Living Wills (e.g. Advance Decisions and Statements), which complement the residential conveyancing.
Toni is also a Parent Governor at The Warriner School, Bloxham. She lives with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time she is a keen apiarist, with her own beehive in the garden.
Michelle Grieveson is Toni’s secretary.
You can contact Toni or Michelle on 01295 253211.
Siobhan is a specialist in residential and commercial property work, private client and civil litigation, and our clients value her rigorous knowledge and helpful advice.
Siobhan read law at the University of Lincoln before completing the Bar Vocational Course at the College of Law, Birmingham. She was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn, London in July 2008. After that, Siobhan worked as an in-house advocate practising civil litigation in general and debt recovery work, in particular, across county courts in England and Wales. Siobhan has considerable experience in civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution. She takes a commercial and practical approach when advising clients.
Siobhan subsequently cross-qualified as a solicitor in July 2012 and, shortly afterwards, moved to a traditional, high street practice in Northamptonshire. There she predominately practised residential conveyancing and commercial property, and private client work, while continuing to take on civil litigation instructions.
Siobhan joined Hancocks in October 2016, growing its conveyancing capacity and expertise. She also has her own commercial property practice, does non-contentious and contentious probate work, and is Head of Civil Litigation. Siobhan became a partner in May 2018 and she is studying towards the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Diploma.
Siobhan lives in the Northamptonshire village of Everdon with her husband and sons. She enjoys clay pigeon shooting and long walks with her Labradoodle.
Jennifer Quinn is Siobhan’s secretary.
You can contact Siobhan or Jennifer on 01295 253211.
Pam is our accounts manager providing support and assistance to the partners.
Pam is the longest-serving member of staff (after Michael… ), having worked at Hancocks for over 20 years. Since leaving school, Pam has always worked as a legal cashier and she finds the role enjoyable and challenging, in equal measure.
She is heavily involved in ensuring the smooth day-to-day financial running of the firm and particularly enjoys balancing estate accounts for client matters, and ensuring that financial transfers for conveyancing go through without a hitch.
Outside of work Pam has helped run disability football teams for both adult men and women since 2008. Pam also loves to travel and particularly enjoys cruises with her husband. When she is not on holiday, she can be found pottering in the garden and enjoying time with her family and friends.
Michelle is a legal secretary and works with Toni Peppard in our Banbury office.
Michelle joined us in June 2016 and assists Toni with her residential conveyancing and elderly client practice. Before Hancocks, Michelle spent 13 years working in litigation and joined us looking for a new challenge.
Michelle enjoys assisting with Toni’s varied workload and is happy that no two days are ever the same. She particularly enjoys attending home visits with Toni and meeting clients face to face.
Michelle lives in Banbury. She has been married to her husband for over 25 years and they have two boys together. Outside of work she is a fitness fanatic and enjoys travelling.
Maisy is our receptionist and front of house for the Banbury office. She also provides general office assistance to our other offices.
Maisy joined us in July 2015 as an apprentice studying business administration. She began by completing the Level 2 business administration qualification, then went on to complete Level 3 and qualified in July 2017.
Working at Hancocks has given Maisy valuable experience in the legal sector which is something she is keen to build on.
Maisy is our front of house receptionist and is responsible for welcoming new and existing clients to the office. In addition, she carries out varied office assistant duties, including file archiving and arranging off-site file storage.
Maisy lives in Bloxham with her family. Outside of work Maisy loves spending time with her niece and nephew. She also enjoys travelling the World and exploring new places.
Jennifer is a legal secretary based in our Banbury office and she works with Siobhan Sibley.
After studying photography at Brighton University Jennifer joined us in November 2018. Although Jennifer is from a family with a legal background, this is her first position in the legal sector.
Since working with Siobhan, Jennifer has developed an interest in civil litigation and she is always happy to help clients in the best way she can.
Jennifer lives in Northamptonshire. Outside of work she enjoys meals out with friends and attending the theatre. She is an active gym member and likes to travel, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.
Lindsey is personal assistant to Michael Barlow in our Banbury office.
Lindsey joined us in 2010. Lindsey has worked in the legal sector since the age of 16 in various roles from office assistant to conveyancer. She has worked in many different areas of the law and has gained a considerable amount of knowledge during that time, which enables her to assist solicitors in other areas of the firm when required.
As Michael’s PA, Lindsey assists him in all aspects of his private client practice.
Lindsey lives in Banbury. Outside of work Lindsey enjoys going on long walks and spending time with her family.
Charlotte is a legal secretary and works with Laura Lewis in our Bicester office.
Charlotte studied at City of Bristol College, completing her ILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice in 2015. Charlotte joined us in July 2017, having previously worked at Hine Solicitors in Summertown, Oxford.
Charlotte has an affinity for conveyancing and is the first point of contact for all enquiries through our Bicester office. Charlotte provides quotations for new work and handles telephone calls from clients, estate agents, and other solicitors. She also provides administrative support to Laura Lewis.
Charlotte lives in Bicester, having relocated from Bristol a few years ago. Outside of work Charlotte enjoys an active family life with her husband and two young children.
Dawn is our completions manager and is based at the Banbury office. She works closely with Toni Peppard and the rest of the conveyancing team.
Dawn joined Hancocks in 2003 and trained under Head of Conveyancing, Toni Peppard. Dawn worked as Toni’s secretary/assistant until a new position of completions manager was created for her in 2017.
Dawn has gained a considerable amount of residential conveyancing knowledge during her time with us and now deals with all of our residential completions, from exchange of contracts to registration and file closure.
Dawn has a personal assistant/administration background, which is evident from her organisational skills. Dawn is also in charge of organising our nights out.
Dawn lives in Banbury with her husband and two daughters. Outside of work she enjoys being part of a local dance school, sharing her dance passion with her girls. She also assists with the dance school’s administration and has produced their website.
