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A guide that ranks the UK’s top family law firms has acknowledged Jones Myers’ reputation for excellence for the second year running. Jones Myers is the only family law practice in Yorkshire to feature in Tier 2 of the eprivate Top Family Law Firms guide which recognises and promotes best practice in the sector.

Just 52 family law firms – the majority of which are based in London – feature in the publication which is renowned as the definitive guide featuring leading providers of advice in key areas such as divorce, pre and post nups and child protection. The prominent listing, which is determined after a comprehensive survey of the firm’s expertise, follows Jones Myers recent expansion to York with the opening of an office in St Martin’s Lane and a three strong team whose combined experience in family law exceeds six decades. Heading the team is partner Nicki Mitchell, who became the first collaborative family lawyer in York in 2005. Nicki specialises in the financial aspects of relationship breakdown and particularly complex cases involving family businesses, multiple properties – and complicated pension arrangements. Associate solicitor Samantha Gunnell, also a collaborative family lawyer, has a strong track record in matters including financial settlements, cohabitation and pre and post nuptial agreements. Lynne Richards, an experienced legal assistant, supports the team. Jones Myers has also expanded its Harrogate office this year with the appointment of senior family law solicitor Rachel Baul whose extensive expertise includes high net worth financial cases involving business and trust assets in the UK and overseas. Regularly representing sports professionals and members of the medical profession, Rachel is also adept in cases involving farming and agricultural assets in marriage and relationship breakdown. Consistently retaining top tier regional rankings in Chambers and Legal 500, Jones Myers has been acknowledged as an outstanding niche family law practice for over two decades. Founder Peter Jones said: “2019 is a formative year in the firm’s expansion and we’re delighted to be recognised among the UK’s best family law firms for the second successive year. Our reputation attracts lawyers who are leaders in their field and who share our values.” For queries on family law and children related issues, call our Leeds office on 0113 246 0055, our Harrogate office on 01423 276104 or our York office on 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

The latest milestone for our specialist family law firm sees the launch of an office in York and a trio of appointments which include a partner with 25 years’ experience in family law.

Consistently retaining top tier regional rankings in Chambers and Legal 500 our firm, which also has offices in Leeds and Harrogate, has been acknowledged as an outstanding niche family law practice for over two decades. (more…)

By Peter Jones, founder

The debate over whether pre-nups in England & Wales hold their weight in court has resurfaced following the case of the bankrupt hotel porter who was awarded a £1.3 million divorce payout from his wealthy wife.

A judge ruled that a pre-nup agreement signed by Anil Ipekci two weeks before marrying Morgan McConnell, the great-granddaughter of Avon cosmetics founder David McConnell, was unfair and would leave him penniless.

As a result Mr Ipekci – a bankrupt when he met his ex wife – has received the £1.3 million windfall to buy a house and pay off his credit card, bank debts and unpaid legal fees. (more…)

News of the arrival of Meghan and Harry’s beautiful baby boy Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor – has brought happiness and joy to well wishers the world over.

Oblivious to his prestigious birthright as seventh in line to the throne, the most important factors in his first days, weeks, months and years will be waking up every day to a caring and nurturing environment with loving parents who dote on him.

Sadly not every relationship culminates in a fairy tale as many couples reach the painful decision that they are unable to live in harmony together with divorce or separation being the only option. (more…)

By Norman Taylor

When couples divorce or terminate a civil partnership, a key issue is dividing any pension rights that have been built up during – and possibly before – the relationship started.

In fact, it has become more common for pension pots to make up the second highest value asset in a divorce settlement after the family home. In some cases it is the most valuable asset. (more…)

By Peter Jones, founder

In the adage that all good things come to those who wait, I welcome the news that ‘no fault’ divorce will finally become law – dispensing with the damaging ‘blame game’ which is detrimental to all involved.

We’ve previously shared our concerns on how the present fault based divorce system can result in acrimonious break ups – with antagonism very often continuing after the parties have separated and where one parent is living with a new partner.

Over the years we have witnessed how this friction impacts negatively on children who, trapped in the crossfire, often retreat into an artificial world to escape the stresses and strains. (more…)

Our niche family law firm has launched free family law clinics for our colleagues at our Windsor House office in Harrogate.

The clinics started on April 4 and take place each Wednesday from 12 noon until 2.00 pm. They are headed by Rachel Baul, a highly experienced family lawyer with over two decades of expertise. (more…)

The High Court Judgement reinforced our earlier concerns that commercial enterprises acting as McKenzie Friends and charge to advise people who represent themselves in court – could result in this very scenario.       (more…)

By Peter Jones, Jones Myers founder

The Government has recently released figures highlighting a 5% drop in divorce rates from 2016-2017 which, on the surface, is welcome news.

However, confirming a sustained decline in the number of people divorcing requires comparing and contrasting several years of statistics to understand the true picture.

Key findings of the report include unreasonable behaviour remaining the most common cause for both opposite sex and same sex couples splitting up. (more…)

Jones Myers appears regularly in the media where we comment on issues and provide advice on key areas of family law including divorce and separation, children matters, finances and pre and post-nuptial agreements.  

This week our solicitor, Elizabeth Bell, appeared in the Yorkshire Post’s ‘Legal Matters’ feature where she reinforced the urgent need to modernise the current cohabitation laws. The profile appears in full below.      (more…)