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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
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…)
This week sees the second reading of a bill which, if passed, would enable opposite sex couples to enter a civil partnership.
Since 2004 only same-sex couples in the United Kingdom could be in a civil partnership which gives them the same rights, responsibilities and entitlements as married couples in key areas. (more…)
Cakes, candles and celebrations are hopefully on the cards for many families looking forward to making Grandparents Day very special this Sunday.
The annual day is designed to acknowledge and thank nanas and granddads for the formative role they play in their grandchildren’s lives as carers and role models. (more…)
A case handled by Jones Myers has helped five Supreme Court judges to rule that a divorced surveyor should not have to increase payments to his former wife who mishandled her finances after they broke up.
The case of Graham and Maria Mills, who divorced in 2002 after a 15-year marriage, has put the spotlight on the ‘meal ticket for life’ scenario in which a wife receives maintenance in her life time. (more…)
By Peter Jones, founder
Being unhappy in a marriage does not justify being granted a divorce.
The Supreme Court ruling that Tini Owens must stay in a “loveless” marriage to her husband is the culmination of an expensive and protracted legal battle with wider repercussions.
The validity of the original evidence that 68-year-old Mrs Owens gave to illustrate the “unreasonable behavior” of 78-year-old Hugh Owens lies at the heart of this landmark case. (more…)
By Liz Bell, solicitor
Following on from our earlier blog, which highlighted how a high percentage of cohabiting couples wrongly believe that they have legal protection when their relationship breaks down, we answer more of your most commonly asked questions.
It’s celebration time as we mark 25 years as a niche family law practice which continues to go from strength to strength.
Jones Myers team
Our highly experienced team at Jones Myers has opened a new office at Windsor House, Cornwall Road in Harrogate as we mark our 25-year anniversary.
The milestone for our specialist family law firm, which operates out of Leeds and London, is to accommodate an increase in instructions from our clients in North Yorkshire.
The move has been widely featured across print and broadcast media including The Yorkshire Post, The BusinessDesk, BusinessLink, Bdaily, the Harrogate Advertiser and Stray FM.
2017 has been a formative year for our practice, which was founded in Leeds by Peter Jones – one of the country’s leading family lawyers and a former national chairman of Resolution.
We are consistently ranked in a joint Top Tier position by the Legal 500 and Chambers guides for Leeds, West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire.
Chambers 2018 describes us as, “A very strong firm – not just in finance but also in children cases.” It adds, “Expertise in dealing with financial remedy nuptial cases adds depth to their practice.”
The latest edition of the highly respected Legal 500 guide describes Jones Myers as “a family practice that is one of the best in the area” and attracts praise for our “sensible, expert, conciliatory advice that does what it says on the tin.”
Our clients are based regionally, nationally and internationally, and we have earned an enviable reputation working exclusively in divorce, separation, complex financial disputes, children issues and contested wills and estates.
Our team of experts, which include a Deputy District Judge, an experienced mediator, a family law arbitrator and our own in-house barrister, jointly combine 250 years of legal experience.
Our move to Harrogate follows the recent expansion of our highly respected children’s department who are regarded as leading experts in issues of residence, contact, relocation, child protection and international child abduction.
Peter Jones said: “The services we provide at our Harrogate office complement those at our Leeds and London locations. We are proud to be recognised as lawyers who look for solutions to problems and are acknowledged for supporting families and children. We advise and guide where possible on options which can avoid conflict and unnecessary costs.
“A big ‘thank you’ to our valued and talented team in what is a momentous year for the firm.”
For more information about any aspect of divorce or family law, call Jones Myers at our Leeds office on 0113 246 0055, our Harrogate office on 01423 276104, visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce
By Liz Bell, solicitor
Cohabiting couple families remain the fastest growing relationship in the UK, but many mistakenly believe that they have the same legal rights as married couples in critical areas such as savings, income, pensions or business interests.