Jones Myers Partner, Kate Banerjee, has been named ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in the coveted Private Client category of the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards.   

Judges selected Kate, who heads the firm’s internationally renowned Children’s Department, from an 11-strong shortlist of top lawyers across the North of England in the inaugural awards.

With almost three decades of experience in children law, Kate has extensive expertise in international child abduction. Her specialisms include contact, residence, and adoption.

Kate, who is applauded by the latest Legal 500 rankings as a ‘standout children’s solicitor’ and Leading Individual, said: “I am proud and honoured to receive this prestigious recognition which is attributable to the commitment of our highly experienced and respected team.

“An enormous and heartfelt ‘thank you’ to my colleagues who consistently provide the best bespoke solutions for our valued clients.”      

Succeeding with the most complex cases, the 12-strong Children’s team provides all aspects of private and public children law and is at the forefront of new areas of law including deprivation of a child’s liberty.

The Department also consistently achieves a consistently high success rate in international child abduction matters across Hague and Non-Hague countries.  

Richard Peaker, Jones Myers Managing Partner, said: “Kate is widely respected as a leader in her field at home and overseas and this high-profile award is extremely well deserved.

“The accolade reflects the wider team’s dedication and expertise and underpins Jones Myers standing as a top-ranking, niche family law practice which has maintained its number 1 position in the legal guides for over two decades.”

Jones Myers reputation for dealing with complex cases and securing successful outcomes in reported cases involving Courts at all levels, is widely acknowledged.  

The latest Legal 500 Guide consolidates Jones Myers outstanding reputation as ‘the leading matrimonial finance firm in Yorkshire, with outstanding individuals and unparalleled strength in depth’. 

Founded in 1992 in Leeds as among the North of England’s first specialist family law practices, the firm has its headquarters in Leeds and offices in Harrogate and York.

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

Jones Myers blog is ranked ninth in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2023.

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Jones Myers leading family lawyers feature in the ‘Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom’ 2023 rankings for the 15^th consecutive Year following recommendations from their peers.   

The accolade comes in a year when the firm retained its prestigious Family Law Firm of the Year North title in the Family Law Awards. Judges singled out the practice’s skills in Mediation, Collaborative Law and Arbitration which avoid going to court. 

Director and Partner Richard Peaker (pictured centre) – who heads the Financial Remedies Department and is an expert in complex financial disputes – retains his Best Lawyers listing since 2009.   A specialist in high-net-worth cases, Richard acts for clients including businesses owners, shareholders, lawyers, accountants, and other high-end professionals. He is regularly recommended by clients, barristers, and independent financial advisors.

Peter Jones (pictured right), who founded Jones Myers 30 years ago, also maintains his listing across the same period. A former Deputy District Judge, he was one of country’s first Arbitrators to resolve differences on financial and property matters.  

An ex national chairman of Resolution who chairs Resolution’s Specialist Accreditation Committee, Peter has been presented with two prestigious awards in the past 12 months for his outstanding contribution to family law.

Partner Kate Banerjee (pictured left), an acknowledged leader in Children’s Law who heads Jones Myers Children’s Department, features in the listing for the second year running.  

Lauded by the Legal 500 Guide as a “Rolls-Royce among practitioners,” Kate’s reputation is acknowledged nationally and globally.

Representing children, parents, guardians and local authorities, Kate has extensive expertise in international child abduction cases. Her specialisms also span contact, residence, education law, adoption, and surrogacy.

Said Peter Jones: “We are immensely proud of our reputation as an outstanding niche family law firm which has achieved top rankings in esteemed legal guides for over two decades.

“It is an honour to be recommended for the 15^th year running for the Best UK Lawyers by our peers, a recognition which reflects our commitment to consistently delivering excellence in family law.”  

The Best UK Lawyers endorsements are submitted by leading lawyers who recommend the professional abilities of colleagues in the same geographical and practice area.

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

Jones Myers blog is ranked 9^th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2022.

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This week is pivotal in the development of many children and young people in England who are returning to school for the first time in over five months.

However the school environment and routine that was reassuring and familiar to them earlier this year has changed dramatically as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

New measures implemented to help safeguard their well being include one way systems, different playground rules and staggering starting and finishing times.  

Secondary pupils in local lockdown areas such as Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees will also have to wear face coverings in school corridors.   

While looking forward to being reunited with their friends, children will understandably feel anxious about the new rules, particularly those who are old enough to have seen and read about the mixed reactions to schools reopening.        

It is therefore vital that their parents – particularly those who are divorced or separated – do their utmost to help ensure a smooth transition.

This can be achieved by working together in a spirit of mutual cooperation to communicate even more closely with their sons and daughters and find out how they think and feel about the myriad of changes they face.

Talking to them and reassuring them why the measures are needed will help to ease apprehensions and anxieties they may be experiencing.

Making sure children stick to a routine outside of school with set times for eating, bedtime and pastimes has also taking on an unprecedented importance.

Creating a stable environment where the best interests of children and young people are the overriding priority requires establishing and sustaining a workable solution.

Above all in these turbulent times estranged parents can remind their children that they both love them very much and are here for them in the days, months and years ahead.         

Jones Myers committed teams are continuing to support our clients through these exceptional circumstances.  

Our dedicated Children Department of highly experienced professionals balances the needs of children and their parents in issues including residence and contact disputes, care proceedings, international child abduction and adoption.

If you have any comments, queries or concerns on children, 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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A solicitor with a strong track record in family law and social care law is further enhancing the reputation of our children’s team at our niche family law firm.

Sasha Williams joins our department’s nine-strong team – which includes an ‘in house’ counsel – and attracts complex and varied casework in the UK and overseas. Her experience spans areas including residence, contact, immigration, asylum and domestic violence.

Based in Leeds, Harrogate and London, Jones Myers is at the forefront of international child abduction law and is accredited by a specialist panel operated by the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit.

Sasha said: “The reputation of Jones Myers, which is among the country’s most respected family law firms, is second to none and I’m looking forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the practice.”

Headed by Kate Banerjee – who has Higher Court Rights and is a member of the International Child Abduction and Custody Unit – the children’s department team members jointly combine almost nine decades of expertise.

Kate added: “In today’s evolving modern world, families are more diverse – bringing wider issues, which impact on children. With a wealth of experience in family law and social care law, Sasha’s expertise compliments our skills as our national and international casework continues to increase.”

Sasha’s new role has been well received in the media, achieving much vibrant coverage. This has included a special profile in the Yorkshire Post on the biggest developments the lawyer has witnessed in the legal world during her career.

Her appointment coincides with a series of recent milestones which include our specialist firm retaining its joint top tier ranking and being recommended as ‘one of the best in the area’ by the latest esteemed Legal 500 guide.

Formative developments have also seen us open a new office in Harrogate. Based at Windsor House, our services will complement those we provide at our existing offices in Leeds and Essex where we combine professional legal advice with a sensitive approach.

For more information about child abduction, children’s issues, divorce or any aspect of family law, call Jones Myers at 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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