Jones Myers highly experienced family lawyer, Sarah Barr-Young, has been appointed as a board member to help drive the vision and objectives of the Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID).

Sarah, who heads Jones Myers Financial Remedies Department in the firm’s Harrogate office, joins a voluntary Board of influential directors overseeing the delivery of BID’s plan to support, safeguard and improve the town centre for businesses, visitors and residents.

Born in Harrogate, Sarah has extensive expertise in family law matters including complex, high net worth financial disputes, business property portfolios, pensions on divorce and resolving disputes out of court through negotiation.

She said: “I am honoured to be instrumental in BID’s strategy to maximise the potential of Harrogate as a dynamic destination and empower local businesses to tackle local issues.

“My role at Jones Myers entails meeting and working with wide-ranging local companies and I’m looking forward to adding value to BID’s goals during the organisation’s second term.”

Over the past 12 months BID has clocked up a  raft of successful achievements. They include its rapid response Street Rangers further enhancing the town’s visual appearance, forging key partnerships with police, councils and voluntary organisations – and recruiting a Business Crime Officer.

Funding has also been secured for ongoing investment in tackling anti-social behaviour and a new IT system that tracks spend data across the BID area.

Jason Maxwell, CEO of Harrogate BID, commented: “We warmly welcome Sarah to Harrogate BID in a formative year as we further strengthen our role as a voice for town centre businesses and promote key regional events.

“Sarah’s extensive experience of working with local companies, coupled with her dedication  to our long-term strategic vision for the town centre, complement BID’s ethos and values. We look forward to Sarah’s contribution as we accelerate our vision throughout 2026 and beyond.”

Andrew Fox, Jones Myers director and in-house barrister, added: “As a long-standing Harrogate employer committed to local businesses and the community, Jones Myers is delighted to forge long-standing partnerships.

“It is tremendous that Sarah is joining the BID board and we wish Harrogate BID continued success as it continues to go from strength to strength.”   

To find out more about Harrogate BID, a not-for-profit organisation launched on January 1^st 2019, visit https://harrogatebid.co.uk/

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

Jones Myers blog is ranked 5th among the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2026

Sarah Barr-Young is pictured third from left back row with Jason Maxwell, CEO of Harrogate BID, fourth left from back row, and fellow board members     

The post Jones Myers senior family lawyer appointed to BID board appeared first on Jones Myers.

By Sarah Barr-Young, Head of Jones Myers Financial Remedies Department in Harrogate

The decision to divorce is among the most difficult and distressing decisions for anyone to take.  It presents numerous emotional, financial and practical challenges, even when both parties agree the relationship is over.  

Severing ties with a narcissist – especially if you are the one instigating the break up – can present even greater obstacles and complications. In this article I share insights into behaviours of narcissists, and how to find the right family lawyer to help you come  through it.         

What are the traits of a narcissist?

The origins of the term narcissism date back to Greek mythology when Narcissus, a handsome and self-absorbed young man, fell in love with his reflection in a pool of water.

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition which is included in the broader category of personalitydisorders and wide-ranging studies reveal around 70 percent  of narcissists are male.

The following are some common traits of narcissism, which experts say originate from a combination of genetic, developmental and environment factors:   

• Inflated ego/sense of self importance
• Craving for constant attention and admiration
• Lack of feelings and empathy for others (including nearest and dearest)
• Highly controlling/competitive nature and desire to dominate
• Fragile self-esteem  

How do narcissists react to divorce?

In general, narcissists do not marry for love, respect and affection, they tie the knot for stability and to boost their standing and dominance. If a divorce is initiated by their spouse, and not on their terms, it can prompt extreme reactions, reigniting their worst fears of self-abandonment and isolation.  

In what ways do they make separation difficult? 

Due to their overwhelming need to manipulate people and circumstances, narcissists are known to employ tactics to try to control every aspect of the divorce.

This can include racking up unnecessary legal costs for their spouse and prolonging and hampering financial disclosure which legally obliges both parties to provide open and honest details of their financial circumstances. Such machinations then delay the financial settlement which brings legal closure to the financial aspects of divorce.  

These combative ploys to thwart the instigating party at every turn are deliberately intended to wear down their ex- spouse and derail the divorce process.   

How does divorce affect the children of narcissists?

Narcissists’ obsession to ‘win at any cost’ can see them trying to use their children as pawns and deprive them of time with the other parent – even when it is not in the children’s best interests.

How do I secure the best legal advice to guide me through this maze?

By working with family specialists like me who are highly experienced in dealing with high conflict individuals and have successfully steered clients through impediments which they initially thought to be insurmountable.

At Jones Myers our experts can advise you of your options, help to prevent costs from spiralling out of control and guide you through the complexities. We do this by deploying strategies to  secure you the best solutions regarding financial settlements and fair child arrangements so you can embrace the next chapter of your life.

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

Jones Myers blog is ranked 5th among the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2026.

image by Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay

The post I’m divorcing a narcissist – what do I need to know? appeared first on Jones Myers.

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

The post Jones Myers boosts care for cancer patients in memory of late colleague appeared first on Jones Myers.

By Sarah Barr-Young, Head of Jones Myers’ Financial Remedies Department in Harrogate

A series of studies have highlighted a connection between menopause and divorce – with many women attributing the menopause as a key factor in their relationship breakdown.

The festive season can be a particularly stressful time for married and separated couples for several reasons. High on the are list are financial worries, concerns about seeing their children – and the pressure of expectations to make the holiday magical and memorable for loved ones.

While I am not a medical expert, I am aware that seasonal stress can exacerbate physical and

mental symptoms of menopause and perimenopause, the transitional phase before menopause. They include tiredness, hot flushes, mood swings along with feelings of inadequacy and shortcomings.

As a family law specialist with extensive experience in working with women in their mid-lives, I know how hard many of them find openly discussing their emotions with their nearest and dearest, a contributory factor in findings linking menopause and divorce.    

Another worrying factor from the research focuses on the vital role of solicitors. Many women who have divorced while undergoing the menopause say their family lawyers failed to include the menopause and its impact on their deteriorating relationships in divorce discussions.

While this may be attributable to a lack of awareness or understanding, it requires addressing as a priority to ensure our family law profession fulfils its responsibility to assess every aspect of our clients’ lives following a relationship breakdown, and guide and support them in reaching the best possible solutions.  

Jones Myers’ holistic approach explores all areas of our clients’ lives, signposting them to third parties, whether this be counsellors, therapists or IFAs, when appropriate. Our firm’s approved internal list of referrers ensures clients receive the highest quality advice for their unique circumstances.    

Finances are another key area where we guide and assist clients undergoing separation or divorce.  

Many perimenopausal and menopausal women deciding to make the break have chosen to sacrifice their careers or put them on hold to bring up their families. This may have prevented them from saving money or accruing a work pension, later prompting major fears of how they will manage post-divorce.    

We recognise clients’ concerns over finances – and how many women during their     marriages have not had to manage practicalities such as tax, standing orders or direct debits.     

Helping clients to plan for their future both pre and post-divorce, our holistic approach sees  us work with tried and tested financial advisers who support our clients to stay on track as  they embark on the next phase of their lives.

I urge all women who are feeling the season’s pressures and thinking about divorce and separation, to seek help from professionals and family lawyers who understand the challenges they face – and who can guide them on the right path.          

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

Jones Myers blog is ranked 4th among the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

The post Menodivorce or menopause? : Feeling out of control at Christmas appeared first on Jones Myers.

Jones Myers has appointed Sarah Barr-Young, a family lawyer with extensive expertise, to head the firm’s Financial Remedies Department in Harrogate.

Highly experienced in complex, high net worth financial disputes, Sarah’s reputation in business property portfolios, pensions on divorce and resolving disputes out of court through negotiation is widely recognised.

A named Legal 500 ‘Key’ Lawyer and Chambers ‘Notable Practitioner’, Sarah is valued by clients as a knowledgeable, ‘no nonsense’ strategist who is patient and empathetic.

Sarah is delighted to be back in Harrogate where she was born and attended junior school. She said:  “I am a long-standing admirer of Jones Myers’ standing for delivering excellence in client care and legal services of the highest calibre and regard this opportunity as a real honour.

“It is also a privilege to be taking over from Neil Dring, a highly dedicated and compassionate family lawyer. I had the pleasure of previously working with Neil who sadly passed away earlier this year following an illness.”

Richard Peaker, Jones Myers Managing Partner, said: “Sarah’s first-class reputation in divorce and financial remedies is widely renowned and respected and she is a great asset to our award-winning team.

“We wish Sarah continued success in her career as a key member of our committed lawyers who are recognised as leaders in their field.”         

Sarah’s appointment comes in a formative year for Jones Myers, which has also doubled the size of the York city centre team with a series of new appointments.

With headquarters in Leeds, the firm, 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.

Jones Myers is also ranked in the top five per cent of UK law practices which deliver family law services by Review Solicitors, an independent legal review site. Outperforming its peers nationwide, clients award the practice a consistent ‘Excellent’ rating. 

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

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

The post Jones Myers appoints financial disputes specialist as new Partner  appeared first on Jones Myers.