Pictured left to right is Elizabeth Bell, Jacqueline Rowbotton and Sarah Barr-Young. 

Jones Myers is helping to enhance the quality of care for cancer patients at the Sir Robert Ogden MacMillan Centre in Harrogate in memory of the firm’s late colleague, Neil Dring.  

A well-loved and highly-respected family lawyer who was passionate about achieving the best solutions for his clients, Neil is also fondly remembered by the team who treated him.

The Centre, part of the Harrogate and District Foundation NHS Trust, diagnoses and treats wide-ranging cancers, offering a variety of care and complementary therapies.  

Jones Myers Partner, Elizabeth Bell, and Sarah Barr-Young, who heads the firm’s Financial Remedies Department in Harrogate, were blown away by the team’s commitment to delivering outstanding patient care during a visit organised by Jacqueline Rowbotton, Macmillan Integrated Personalised Care Programme Lead (Harrogate District).

Said Liz: “Supporting the Centre aligns with our firm’s deep-rooted ethos of giving back to our local communities. We met some of the team, including nurses and a complementary treatment therapist, who all spoke fondly of Neil. Their heartfelt dedication to patients is inspirational and it was tremendous to hear how the treatments are complemented by holistic and therapeutic services”.

Jones Myers is contributing a much-needed new Airglove unit – an air-warming system designed to warm and raise veins in patients’ arms – to the Centre. 

Added Sarah:  “The medical team explained how some cancer patients’ veins are in ‘a poor stage’ and how the Airglove machine is invaluable in reducing discomfort and stress for both patients and the nursing staff. The timing of this new machine is vital for enhancing patients’ quality of care and Jones Myers is looking forward to a long-standing relationship with the Centre and its team.” 

Yvonne Campbell, Head of Charity for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Jones Myers for their generous support, which has enabled us to purchase an Airglove unit for patients receiving treatment at the Sir Robert Ogden MacMillan Centre. This equipment will make a real difference to patient comfort and wellbeing, and we sincerely appreciate the firm’s commitment to supporting our services.”

For more information on services provided by Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre, visit here

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

Jones Myers blog is ranked 4th^h among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2026

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Jones Myers niche family law firm continues to be an acknowledged leader in its field following another Band 1 ranking in Chambers 2026 legal guide. 

Based on client interviews and recommendations, the top listing for the whole of Yorkshire reflects the extensive expertise of the practice whose enviable reputation in financial remedy proceedings  and cases spans shareholder issues, property portfolios, and complex pension schemes.

The Children’s Department, which covers every aspect of public and private children law, is renowned regionally, nationally, and internationally. Specialists’ ability to handle complicated matters, which include abuse, abduction, and exploitation, is widely respected.

Managing Partner, Richard Peaker, who heads the Financial Remedies Department, retains his Band 1 ranking. Also ranked is Partner Kate Banerjee, head of the Children’s Team and Partner Elizabeth Bell,whose experience spans wide-ranging financial disputes.  

Partner Nicki Mitchell, a family mediator and collaborative lawyer, who heads the firm’s York office, keeps her ranking in both the Family and Matrimonial and Mediation categories.

Said Managing Partner, Richard Peaker: “We are proud to attract the best family law specialists in our sector and Chambers’ year-on-year top band rankings reflect our lawyers’ unique breadth and depth of expertise.

“We give our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teams for upholding our reputation for continuously delivering excellence in client care.”

The accolade comes just two weeks after Jones Myers retained its position as an outstanding family law firm in the 2026 Legal 500 rankings which praises the ‘fantastic team’ for delivering ‘an extremely supportive experience’.

Highlighting the practice’s extensive expertise, Legal 500 highlights how family law specialists … ‘give practical and realistic advice, always managing clients’ expectations.’

With headquarters in Leeds and offices in Harrogate and York, Jones Myers has retained its ‘best in class’ standing in legal guides for almost three decades.

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

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

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Highlighting the practice’s extensive expertise, the esteemed guide praises the ‘fantastic team’ which… ‘give practical and realistic advice, always managing clients’ expectations.’

Reinforcing Jones Myers reputation regionally, nationally and internationally, the firm’s child abduction team is described as ‘a leader for all of Yorkshire.’

Powerful endorsements from clients include the following: “Both highly professional and genuinely empathetic, they provide clear advice along with patience and understanding. Throughout my case the team worked together creatively and with dedication to resolve the situation.”

The following family lawyers are singled out:   

Richard Peaker – Legal 500 Leading Partner

Managing Partner, Richard Peaker, head of the Financial Remedies Department is widely acknowledged as a leading light in Financial Remedies work. An expert in complex financial disputes, Richard is regularly instructed in multi-jurisdictional proceedings and cases involving complex corporate and (often offshore) trust structures.

Kate Banerjee – Legal 500 Leading Partner

Head of the Children’s Department, the guide says Kate’s dedication to her clients, depth of knowledge and sensitivity in highly emotive cases is of the highest calibre. “Kate Banerjee brings extraordinary compassion and faith to her work and this, alongside her expertise and tenacity, has given me strength and courage when I’ve needed it the most.”

Partner Anthony Parrish –  Legal 500 Next Generation Partner

Legal 500 says: “Anthony is an excellent child abduction lawyer who regularly represents clients in 1980 Hague proceedings. His knowledge of the law in this area is second to none.”

Partner Elizabeth Bell and In House Barrister Andrew Fox  are Legal 500 Key Lawyers.

Elizabeth’s track record includes complicated, high value cases involving company structures and trusts.  She also represents clients whose assets may be overseas and where there may be jurisdiction issues. With over three decades experience, Andrew deals with all aspects of family life in courts ranging from the magistrates to the appellate courts in England and the Channel Islands.

Also featured  is Partner and Practice Head Nicki Mitchell a highly experienced Mediator and collaborative Family Lawyer. Legal 500 says: “Despite being very collaborative and resolution focused, Nicki Mitchell is an experienced litigator and will run a case with a high level of expertise, good sense, pragmatism and attention to detail. Her advice is always sound, and clients always feel well cared for.”

Said Managing Partner, Richard Peaker: “Jones Myers is immensely proud to have achieved a top Legal 500 position for over three decades, reflecting how we consistently deliver excellence in family law.

Our latest ranking demonstrates the depth and breadth of expertise of our outstanding family lawyers across Leeds, Harrogate and York. Enormous thanks to our committed and talented teams who work tirelessly for our valued 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 5^th among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

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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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Our outstanding reputation has been further consolidated in our top tier ranking in the Legal 500 2025 guide for our ‘perfect blend of vast experience and strength in depth’.

Based on client interviews and recommendations, the guide applauds our ‘First class reputation for private client money and children work.

‘It is one of the ‘go to firms’ in the North East because of its excellent teams of lawyers who offer a high level of expertise in family law. Its client care is first rate and court preparation stands out.’

We are complimented on the ‘intellectually rigorous approach’ of our divorce and financial remedies team, and forthe firm’s ‘strength in depth and for the commitment to its clients of the team as a whole.’  Lawyers singled out are:

Richard Peaker – Legal 500 Leading Partner

…undoubtedly one of the leading matrimonial finance lawyers in the North – a consummate lawyer with a wealth of experience, an intellectually rigorous approach and a highly professional manner, which in combination inspire tremendous confidence in his clients.

Kate Banerjee – Legal 500 Leading Partner

Providing advice of ‘the highest calibre’ as head of Jones Myers Children’s Department, the guide says Kate’s dedication to her clients, depth of knowledge and sensitivity in highly emotive cases is of the highest calibre. She is caring and sensitive but firm in her advice when needed.

Partner Anthony Parrish –  Legal 500 Next Generation Partner

Legal 500 says Anthony ‘excels in child abduction matters’.

Partner Nicki Mitchell – Head of Jones Myers York office

Nicki Mitchell has established a strong niche family law presence in York with an enviable reputation for specialist and tailored family law services. The firm is strong on dispute resolution offering mediation and collaborative services. It is always a pleasure to work with Jones Myers as they can be trusted to take a constructive and conciliatory approach.

Partner Elizabeth Bell

Elizabth Bell is a highly experienced matrimonial finance lawyer who works extremely hard to get the best results for her clients. She is easy to work with, prepares a case immaculately …her client handling skills are admirable.

Partner and In House Counsel Andrew Fox

Andrew has ‘vast experience’ and is ‘an expert in Trusts and complex financial structures’.

Senior Legal Advisor Anna Bell (née Sutcliffe)

Anna Sutcliffe is a very experienced family law specialist. She works very hard for her clients but at the same time takes a fair and constructive approach.   

Maintaining our ‘best in class’ standing for almost three decades, we remain the only Top Tier family law practice in Legal 500’s Yorkshire region rankings with a York office.

Said Managing Partner, Richard Peaker: “Our standing as leaders in our field whose extensive experience consistently delivers top class client care is reenforced in our ongoing top rankings. All credit and enormous thanks to our committed and talented teams who work tirelessly for our valued 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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The latest Legal 500 rankings consolidates Jones Myers standing as ‘the leading matrimonial finance firm in Yorkshire, with outstanding individuals and unparalleled strength in depth.’

Sustaining our top tier listing for over two decades, we are still the only family law practice with a York office in the 2023 guide which covers Leeds, West Yorkshire, and North Yorkshire.  

Legal 500 praises our ‘first-rate reputation’, giving special mention to seven of our specialist family lawyers.  

Leading Individual and ‘outstanding matrimonial finance practitioner’ Richard Peaker, who is ‘well known for his attention to detail and depth of knowledge.’

Richard heads our Financial Remedies Team which handles complex, high-value divorce matters, often involving the division of property and business.

‘Richard Peaker has been for some time, and remains, the outstanding matrimonial finance practitioner in Yorkshire and the Northeast. His wealth of experience, commercial acumen and client care skills make him stand out head and shoulders above most of his competitors.’ (client testimonial).

Kate Banerjee, also a  Leading Individual and ‘standout children’s solicitor’  who leads Jones Myers  nationally and internationally acclaimed Children’s Department.   

‘Kate Banerjee is the standout children’s solicitor in the North of England. She provides advice on all manner of children’s work from international relocation cases to public law care cases. She has a vast knowledge of all practical and pragmatic steps to be taken for a client. She cares. She is empathic. She works hard to meet her clients’ needs. Inimitable in all of Yorkshire.’ (client testimonial).

The guide highlights how most of the Children’s Team are Children Panel members who often advocate for victims on cross-jurisdictional and highly complex matters.

Partner Nicki Mitchell, who heads our York team which has recently moved to bigger city centre  premises to accommodate growth, is praised by the guide as ‘a highly regarded mediator’. Nicki has further extended her expertise in this area by becoming an accredited Child-inclusive Mediator.  

Elizabeth Bell, whose financial disputes expertise covers offshore assets, company structures and trusts, is described as: ‘An exceptional practitioner whose excellent reputation in financial remedies is very well deserved.’

Partner Anthony Parrish, who works in our Children’s Department, is named by the guide as a Next Generation Lawyer who ‘is sought-after in child abduction’.

Legal 500 also singles out Senior Solicitor Julie Simpson, as a key lawyer. It says: ‘Julie Simpson in particular, shines. Her manner with young and vulnerable people is impressive – she has a calming confidence which gives her great authority in the eyes of the court. She is thorough and diligent.’

Our in-house counsel and partner, Andrew Fox, is also included as a key lawyer and commended for his extensive experience in offshore trust structures.

Says Richard Peaker: “We are extremely proud that our outstanding reputation for excellence has again been reaffirmed by this top tier ranking which reflects our extensive expertise in all areas of family law.

“Well done to all our teams across our offices in Leeds, Harrogate, and York for their ongoing commitment to our valued clients.”

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

Jones Myers blog is ranked ninth in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2022.

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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.     

What’s the biggest development you have seen in the legal world during your career?

Pre-nuptial agreements becoming more prevalent. We’re continuing to see a rise in the number of clients wanting pre-nups which used to be regarded as only relevant to the rich and famous. More couples are realising that when planning their lives, home, wills, life insurance etc, it’s also important to think through the repercussions of a break up. Pre-nups are also more popular with couples in their second marriage, for example, in cases where one party has generated wealth before the new relationship or to financially protect children from previous relationships.

What law would you like to see changed?

Cohabitation laws – our firm has been a long-standing campaigner for reform in this area. Cohabitating 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 key areas such as savings, income, pensions or business interests. The law, as it stands, fails to offer them any protection if their relationship turns sour and separation becomes inevitable.

What’s the most exciting work you have ever done?

The most interesting case I have worked on involved a death bed marriage which raised questions over the client’s capacity to get married and what financial provision should be made.

Who do you admire most in the legal world?

Baroness Hale, a family lawyer. Her inspirational career and trailblazing achievements include a list of ‘firsts’ which include becoming the first woman to be appointed President of the Supreme Court, the UK’s first woman Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, and the first woman appointed to the Law Commission. It was the work of her team whilst at the Law Commission which resulted in the reform of important legislation including the Children Act 1989 and the Family Law Act 1996.

What advice would you give someone starting out in the profession?

It’s not like it’s portrayed on the TV!

You can read in more detail Liz’s responses to frequently asked questions on cohabitation in our blogs.

Contact us for an initial no cost meeting by calling our Leeds office on 0113 246 0055, our Harrogate office on 01423 276104, visit jm2023.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet us @helpwithdivorce

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