Jones Myers family law firm has presented an annual award for exceptional performance to a Masters law student for the sixth consecutive year.

The 2025 Jones Myers Prize for the Best Overall Performance on Master of Laws of England and Wales at Leeds Beckett University goes to Eloise Smith.

Eloise is honoured to receive the accolade which reflects the dedication and hard work she has poured into her studies. She says: “This recognition serves not only as a great honour but also as a source of motivation as I continue my journey in law. My sincere thanks to everyone at Jones Myers for this generous acknowledgment. 

“The prize has strengthened my ambitions for a career in law. After emigrating to Australia last year, I plan to complete the Practical Legal Training program required for admission as a lawyer in this country, which will further enable me to practice as a solicitor.”

Elizabeth Bell, Jones Myers Partner, who presented Eloise with her prize at the graduation ceremony, comments: “Eloise’s outstanding achievement is inspirational, and we wish her every happiness and success in her career.”

“As a firm which champions the development of the next generation, Jones Myers values its long-standing partnership with Leeds Beckett University’s Law Faculty. It is a pleasure to reward students like Eloise who go above and beyond.”

Jones Myers ongoing commitment to training and mentoring tomorrow’s talent includes the recent appointment of Paralegal, Ross Arthur who is based at the practice’s Harrogate town centre office.

Attracted to the firm’s powerful reputation for legal excellence and compassionate client care, Ross has joined the Children’s Department which is renowned globally and covers every area of public and private children’s law.

With headquarters in Leeds, Jones Myers, which has its own in-house counsel, has retained its top tier rankings in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK guides for over three decades.

Exceptional performance: Eloise Smith with Jones Myers Partner, Elizabeth Bell  

For queries on divorce or any aspect of family law, call Leeds on 0113 246 0055, Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked 5^th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

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Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Mitchell, is celebrating a career in family law spanning thirty years.

A skilled family lawyer, mediator and child inclusive mediator, Nicki was York’s first collaborative family lawyer in 2006.

She is a highly respected pioneer of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – non confrontational and constructive options for divorcing and separating couples which avoid going to court.

Nicki’s extensive expertise includes the financial aspects of divorce and separation, particularly complex cases involving family businesses, multiple properties, and complicated pension arrangements.

Jones Myers’ reputation in York as a leader in family law continues to go from strength to strength after Nicki headed the firm’s expansion to the city in 2019. Three years later the team marked further growth to bigger premises at Bootham Row in line with client demand.

The Legal 500 2025 Guide endorses Nicki as a Recommended UK Lawyer, who has “established a strong niche family law presence in York with an enviable reputation for specialist and tailored family law services”.

Nicki also retains her listing in the Family and Matrimonial category of the latest Chambers 2025 legal guide and is also ranked for her ADR expertise.

Highlighting her strong reputation in York, the guide says “Nicki has her clients’ best interests at heart,” is “very sensible and very good in her approach” and is “pragmatic, sensible and comes to a positive solution.”

Said Nicki: “My passion for, and commitment to, family law and seeking the best solutions for our clients is as strong now as when I started out thirty years ago. It has been tremendous to witness formative changes including no-fault divorce and the increase in options such as mediation and collaboration which avoid lengthy and expensive court litigation and put children’s best interests first.

“Jones Myers’ reputation for excellence is recognised across the UK and overseas and I’m proud to play a key role in the firm’s continued growth and development.”

Richard Peaker, Jones Myers Managing Partner, said: “We congratulate Nicki on her significant milestone and her exceptional track record. Nicki’s commitment and extensive expertise is instrumental to our standing in York and we wish her continued success.”

With headquarters in Leeds and offices in York and Harrogate, Jones Myers is a multi-award winning family law practice which has consistently achieved top tier rankings in legal guides for almost three decades.

Additional highlights include the firm winning the Client Care category of The Modern Law Private Client Awards 2024 for its outstanding service to clients.

For queries on divorce or family law, call us 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), 01904 202550 (York). Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2024

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Niche family law firm, Jones Myers, is further fuelling its team growth with the appointment of solicitor Becky Vine.

Becky, whose specialisms extend to financial disputes, settling financial arrangements and cohabitation, joins the Financial Remedies Team of the award-winning practice.

 The expansion follows the promotion of Anthony Parrish – who has over two decades experience in family law – to partner in what has been a milestone year for the practice.   

Jones Myers Managing Partner, Richard Peaker, who heads the Financial Remedies Team, said: “Clients commend Becky for her conscientious and friendly approach along with her commitment to providing a practical, efficient and tailored approach to resolving issues.  

 “We warmly welcome Becky to our talented team and we wish her continued success in her career.”

Becky, who is a Member of family justice group Resolution and the West & North Yorkshire Young Resolution Committee, said: “Jones Myers has earned a powerful reputation as a leader in its field and I’m enjoying the opportunity to work closely with the firm’s partners and continue to expand my skills and knowledge.”

Jones Myers, which has consistently retained its top tier regional rankings in Chambers and Legal 500 for over two decades, marks its 30^th anniversary in November 2022.  

Continuing to attract the best family lawyers in its field, specialists include an in-house counsel, mediators, collaborative law experts and an arbitrator. They also comprise a former national chair of family law group Resolution, the current national chair of Resolution’s Specialist Accreditation Committee and an ex Deputy District Judge. 

In November 2021, the firm retained its esteemed Family Law Firm of the Year title in the Family Law awards for consistently delivering excellence in family law. At the same time, Jones Myers founder, Peter Jones, also received a prestigious honour for his outstanding contribution to family law.

The practice, which has offices in Leeds, York and Harrogate, continues to receive growing recognition for its extensive expertise in alternative dispute resolution processes. They span Mediation, Collaborative Law and Arbitration   which avoid a lengthy court process and can lead much more quickly and cost effectively to a successful resolution.  

For queries on divorce or family law related issues, call us at Leeds on 0113 246 0055, Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

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Jones Myers family law expert Norman Taylor – who led the way in collaborative family law in Yorkshire – is stepping down after 46 years in the profession. 

Practising family law exclusively for over a quarter of a century, Norman has tirelessly championed collaborative family law which avoids delays, stress and high costs associated with going to Court. 

Norman’s commitment to developing the next generation of family lawyers has seen him involved in Leeds Beckett University’s Professional Mentoring Scheme since 2019. He has played a key role in facilitating the University’s Law School’s pro bono Law Clinic for students for the past three years.  

Said Jones Myers director and partner, Richard Peaker: “Norman has been a valued member of our team since coming on board eleven years ago. He is highly respected among his colleagues and peers regionally and nationally for seeking innovative solutions to financial issues. We wish Norman a long and happy retirement.”

Added Norman: “It has been a privilege to serve as a lawyer for over four decades and experience unprecedented legal and technological advancements including the introduction of ‘no fault’ divorce over the course of my career.    

“Jones Myers’ reputation for consistently delivering the best bespoke solutions for clients along with its exceptional client care and service attracted me to the top-ranking firm. I wish my colleagues and the practice every success as it continues to go from strength to strength.”  

Jones Myers partner, Nicki Mitchell, a trained mediator and the first collaborative family lawyer in York, said it had been a privilege to have known and worked with Norman.

Said Nicki: “Norman is a consummate professional whose vision, commitment to, and passion for collaborative family law has been tireless and outstanding. He will be sorely missed.”

Our firm, which has consistently retained our top tier regional rankings in Chambers and Legal 500 for over two decades, is marking our 30^th anniversary in 2022.

For queries on any aspect of family law, call us at Leeds on 0113 246 0055, at Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

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Our niche family law firm continues to expand our expertise at our York office following increased demand for our specialist matrimonial advice.

The latest appointment sees senior family law executive Anna Sutcliffe join our practice’s city centre office in St Martin’s Lane which was launched in May 2019.

Working exclusively in family law since 1995, Anna specialises in divorce and separation and related financial arrangements. Her experience extends to cohabitation and private law children disputes along with domestic abuse cases.

The York office is headed by Jones Myers partner Nicki Mitchell. A mediator and the first family lawyer in York to qualify as a collaborative family lawyer in 2005, Nicki has over 25 years’ experience specialising in the financial aspects of marriage breakdown.   

Nicki says: “We are delighted to welcome Anna on board as our commissions from our regional, national and international clients increase across our offices in Leeds, York and Harrogate.  

“Anna is commended by clients for her sensible advice and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them and we wish her every success.”

Anna commented: “Jones Myers has an excellent track record and is highly respected by its clients and peers. I’m looking forward to playing a role in the firm’s continued expansion as it goes from strength to strength. ” 

Jones Myers ongoing recruitment drive has resulted in a series of new appointments which include experienced family lawyer Debra Jackson, a specialist in cohabitation, joining the Leeds office and newly qualified solicitor Lilly Grant.  

Consistently ranked in a joint Top Tier position by the Legal 500 and Chambers guides alongside national firms, Jones Myers is the only family law firm in Leeds with its own in-house barrister.

For queries on divorce or any aspect of family law, call us at Leeds on 0113 246 0055, Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

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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 jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

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The news is out! After describing Jones Myers LLP as “utterly brilliant” in last year’s publication, the esteemed Chambers legal guide has once again ranked the firm in the top tier with high praise for individual partners.

The 2013 number one ranking has consolidated Jones Myers’ reputation as one of the top family law firms in Yorkshire, alongside Mills & Reeve and Lake Legal. The new guide highlights Jones Myers’ expertise in key areas. They include pre and post nuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes and matters arising from civil partnership breakdown, and emphasises our specialists in mediation and collaborative law.

Peter Jones is also top ranked and, as a qualified mediator, is described as expert in this field. Richard Peaker is likewise a top ranked individual credited for his work on ancillary relief and nuptial agreements. Second-tier ranked Fiona Kendall and Norman Taylor are praised for their expertise in cohabitation and financial matters.

We’re absolutely delighted to place in the top tier once again and very proud of every member of our talented team who helps us to maintain our standards and ethos. As the first firm in West Yorkshire to dedicate itself exclusively to family law, Jones Myers is delighted to be flying the flag for Leeds, Bradford and the surrounding area 20 years later.

Follow us on Twitter @helpwithdivorce and see for yourself why we’re top of the tree once again!

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