Alice Balcombe

Alice is a Partner in the Family Team, based in Winchester.

Alice specialises in all aspects of family law but has particular expertise in the financial aspects of divorce, including negotiating complex and high-value financial settlements.

Alice has a wealth of experience advising clients on a range of private children issues. Alice supports separated parents in resolving arrangements for the care of their children and advises on parental responsibility and specific issue applications. Alice also acts for mothers and fathers in often complex and highly emotive Children Act proceedings, such as relocation cases (including permanent removal from the jurisdiction).

Alice is experienced in drafting and advising on prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, as well as cohabitation agreements to address financial matters during a relationship.

Alice has acted for a broad range of clients, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, particularly those working in the financial services sector. Alice’s cases frequently involve substantial assets, intricate financial structures, business interests and international elements. Alice has also been involved in a number of high-profile High Court cases, including disputes involving contested trusts within divorce proceedings.

Alice actively promotes non-court dispute resolution to help constructively settle matters at the earliest opportunity. Alice is however particularly adept at dealing with highly contentious matters in a pragmatic and sensitive manner. Alice prides herself on being exceptionally approachable.

Notable work highlights

Acted for the Husband in highly contentious financial remedy proceedings. The net value of the assets was in excess of £2.8 million. The Husband had made significant financial provision to his adult children from another marriage and there were also accusations of non-disclosure. The matter settled at a Financial Dispute Resolution Appointment.

Acted for the Husband-to-be in respect of a prenuptial agreement. The net estate was worth in excess of £20 million which included multiple business interests. The Husband wished to ring fence his interest in the family business. The prenuptial agreement was drafted accordingly despite tight deadlines.

Acted for the Wife in variation proceedings with regard to the payment of spousal maintenance on a joint lives basis. The Husband was reaching retirement age, but had an intention to keep working. The Wife had received a substantial inheritance shortly after the conclusion of the original financial proceedings, some 10 years earlier. The case concerned the extent to which the Wife should rely on the inheritance that had been received to meet her needs and adjust to independence without undue hardship. The case settled through negotiation.

Acted for the Mother in complex children proceedings with allegations of domestic abuse and substance abuse. A Fact Finding hearing took place before magistrates which had significant procedural irregularities. The Mother was advised to appeal the decision and was successful in lodging an appeal and relisting for a repeated Fact Finding Hearing before a District Judge, and also reducing contact from both days of every weekend to one day each fortnight. Alice ascertained that evidence was falsified and the Mother was advised of her options for issuing proceedings for contempt of court proceedings against the Father.