Carey Olsen is instructed by HNWIs to handle Jersey-based and multi-jurisdictional family matters, including both amicable and contentious divorces and associated disputes concerning children, property and maintenance payments; the group is particularly well known for its strength in assisting with the drafting of pre-nuptial agreements. Steering the practice is Marcus Pallot, an experienced litigator who represents wealthy individuals in divorce proceedings. Lauren Glynn, who was promoted to counsel in January 2023, represents clients going through divorces and subsequent disputes relating to finances and children. Tori Cure‘s practice encompasses contested child-related matters, but she has a particular focus on trust matters, while Tara Lee, who joined the firm from BCR Law in January 2022, supports clients engaged in multi-jurisdictional trust and financial disputes, in addition to handling leave to remove cases.
Family in Jersey
Carey Olsen
Practice head(s):
Marcus Pallot
Other key lawyers:
Lauren Glynn; Tori Cure; Tara Lee
Testimonials
‘There is a depth and breadth in this practice which enhances the service given to matrimonial clients in the ability to swiftly access quality input across a variety of disciplines. In my opinion, they are the standout team of matrimonial lawyers in Jersey.’
‘Lauren Glynn is always a pleasure to have as an opponent – straightforward, practical and reasonable.’
‘Lauren Glynn’s team are easy to get along with which enables you to have a collaborative discussion to reach the best results for both sides of a case. Even the less experienced members of their team are very knowledgeable of the legal issues in dispute and know the facts of their cases.’
‘Lauren Glynn is an intelligent and pragmatic practitioner. Being able to pick up the phone to a family lawyer to talk through the issues in a non-confrontational way is always a good thing for the clients on both sides. Lauren is one of those lawyers.’
‘Beyond the undoubted technical expertise, the strength lies in the focus on family solutions and minimising conflict.’
‘The team are very professional, responsive and clear. There is an ability to present complex legal advice in an understandable way and to treat clients with compassion and respect.’
‘The team are very able, experienced and work very collaboratively with clients, other advisers and “the other side”. Their focus is on reaching negotiated settlements and not on taking their clients into court.’
‘This practice was recommended to me by a colleague who had recently gone through a divorce as a kind and reasonably priced company. They have always acted responsibly and with consideration, responded quickly to any requests I have made, and have tried to make the costs as low as possible.’
Corbett Le Quesne
Corbett Le Quesne‘s team is well versed in the full spectrum of family law matters, handling complex divorce cases, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and parental child abduction cases, with a particular focus on multi-jurisdictional family matters, including complex children matters. The practice is co-headed by Barbara Corbett, an experienced arbitrator who frequently handles cross-border cases, ranging from divorces and related financial disputes to trusts, adoption and surrogacy issues, and Nicholas Le Quesne, who advises clients on matrimonial financial arrangements and is also adept at handling complex matters of child law. Kate Donohue represents HNWIs in divorce proceedings and also advises on care, residence and contact orders.
Practice head(s):
Barbara Corbett; Nicholas Le Quesne
Other key lawyers:
Kate Donohue
Testimonials
‘A special mention for Nicholas Le Quesne, who has been updating me regularly throughout the process so far, keeping me aware of proceedings and subsequently submitting my comments. He is friendly and accommodating.’
‘My daughter and I are eternally grateful for all the help, support and service which was provided by the Corbett Le Quesne team in our complicated case. Every team member has been supporting me from the beginning till the end. I’ve never needed a lawyer before, but Barbara Corbett was helpful in everything and at every stage.’
‘Nicholas Le Quesne and Barbara Corbett are exceptional at what they do. They provide a wonderful and supportive service.’
‘They focus on the task at hand as opposed to being side-tracked.’
‘The team is dynamic as it has a great reputation for both local and international work both in finances and children matters.’
‘Barbara Corbett is a human dynamo. She is very well connected and possesses pioneering zeal.’
‘I have been very impressed by both Barbara Corbett and Nicholas Le Quesne. They both have a wealth of experience in dealing with financial and children matters and are growing their practice.’
‘Barbara Corbett is a force of nature – she has a great deal of energy and is innovative and creative, as well as being an excellent lawyer. She has a brilliant manner with clients and is extremely conscientious and hard-working. She always puts her clients first. What?’
Myersons
Myersons frequently assists HNWIs with complex family matters, notably divorces concerning multiple jurisdictions, as well as pre- and post-nuptial agreements. The practice is also sought after for its work on children matters, handling residence and contact orders in addition to assisting with leave to remove matters. Practice head Victoria Myerson
advises wealthy individuals on financial separations and acts for both parents and courts in child-related disputes. The firm strengthened its ranks in January 2023 with the addition of Jamie Orchard from Viberts, whose practice centres on assisting HNWIs with their overseas assets and companies, as well as handling matters concerning children, including Hague Convention proceedings.
Practice head(s):
Victoria Myerson
Other key lawyers:
Jamie Orchard
Testimonials
Victoria Myerson rightly takes her place among the Hall of Famers. The firm has further enhanced their partner offering with the superlative Jamie Orchard joining – his years of experience bely just how excellent he is as a lawyer.’
‘Jamie Orchard: a fantastic practitioner who has the unique combination of superlative client skills, excellent legal knowledge and instinct.’
‘A superb team. Well respected family lawyers. Jamie Orchard recently joined the firm. He is a great addition.’
‘Victoria Myerson is one of the matriarchs of family law in Jersey. Jamie Orchard is sensible, charismatic and one of the most knowledgeable family lawyers on the island. A stellar addition to the Myersons team.’
‘Victoria Myerson is extremely well known in Jersey and has a fabulous reputation. She tends to do many of the big money cases and her practice has been built on that basis. She has recently recruited Jamie Orchard, who has a very good reputation for family work.’
‘Victoria Myerson is a tenacious advocate and extremely hard working. She has won the confidence and trust of many big families and clients in Jersey and continues to represent high-net-worth-individuals in their divorces. Jamie Orchard is a formidable opponent and will provide a great deal of support and assistance to Victoria in her ever-growing practice.’
‘The team offers uniquely sophisticated technical expertise when it comes to international issues with a Channel Island perspective.’
‘Victoria Myerson is a sharp legal mind but also very friendly.’
Viberts
Viberts‘ team represents HNWIs in divorce and ancillary relief proceedings, as well as advising on matters pertaining to children, inheritance and property issues. Practice head Rose Colley handles the breadth of family law issues, handling complex financial disputes in addition to arrangements concerning children. Emma Hollywood has experience at the intersection of criminal and children law, focusing her practice on proceedings under the Children Act, non-molestation orders and divorce cases. Alexandra Cohen handles both divorces and non-matrimonial matters, as well as acting in children’s proceedings.
Practice head(s):
Rose Colley
Other key lawyers:
Emma Hollywood; Alexandra Cohen
Testimonials
‘The stand-out family law team in Jersey. Able to handle the largest cases with ease and obtain stunning results.’
‘Rose Colley – a wonderful combination of high emotional intelligence, judgement and tenacity. Alexandra Cohen – a natural advocate. No one at her level comes close.’
‘The way the firm navigates the divorce landscape is commendable, they stand their ground where they need to but at the same time are empathetic.’
‘Their ability to give honest advice and to have such a sound knowledge of divorce law.’
‘Viberts was exceptional in all areas, keeping me updated and informed of any extra costs. My divorce was complicated and they put my mind at rest on many occasions. There are too many things to praise them in writing.’
‘They are excellent.’
‘Rose Colley is a most sympathetic and understanding family lawyer of vast wisdom. Although our family problem has not gone away, Rose has been perfect at getting us to understand it, and to live with it!’
‘Emma Hollywood has outstanding legal knowledge and is excellent with clients.’
BCR Law
BCR Law‘s family practice is well versed in the gamut of relevant matters, handling pre-nuptial agreements, divorces, and child and spousal maintenance issues, in addition to complex issues concerning children, such as care and contact arrangements. The team works alongside the firm’s private clients, wills and estates, and residential property teams to give support on a wide range of family law issues. Emma Wakeling heads up the team; she specialises in drafting pre- and post-nuptial agreements for HNWIs, as well as representing clients involved in relocation and child abduction proceedings.
Practice head(s):
Emma Wakeling
Testimonials
‘Every member of the team that I have met and dealt with is very friendly, welcoming and compassionate. They made me feel at ease and gave me confidence immediately, that they would work hard to resolve my matters. They have all been so helpful and supportive, even allowing me permission to contact my lawyer directly out of hours if necessary, which was more support than I could have ever imagined and was very reassuring. I would have no hesitation in recommending the team at BCR Law.’
‘I am very grateful for all of the advice, support and help I have received from Emma Wakeling. She has done so much for me and helped my matters immensely.’
‘BCR are a highly responsive team. Divorce is challenging, but I was listened to, advised clearly and concisely and felt empowered to take the next step. I have absolute confidence in Emma Wakeling. I am a busy professional and require quick response times, clarity and concision in communication together with effective time management of tasks; I found this with BCR.’
Benest & Syvret
Benest & Syvret runs the gamut of complex public and private child law matters, including care arrangements, leave to remove applications and Hague Convention proceedings, in addition to representing clients going through divorces and handling issues relating ancillary relief. Practice head Nina Benest has experience in a wide variety of matters, including complex separations and associated property and childcare arrangements. Darry Robinson is a litigator noted for his command of human rights law in disputes concerning children, and whose family practice encompasses child contact, maintenance and residency matters among others. Clare Woodhouse supports clients throughout divorce proceedings, as well as handling child contact and residency cases.
Practice head(s):
Nina Benest
Other key lawyers:
Darry Robinson; Clare Woodhouse
Testimonials
‘The team were always supportive and available with good advice, when needed. They cut through much of the emotion and kept to the facts and practical advice.’
‘Nina Benest is exceptional – direct, clinical and always willing to push a good point, yet balanced with calm and pragmatic advice, when needed.’
‘The attention to detail and willingness to go that extra mile for their clients is what I think sets them apart from other legal firms. I can’t thank Benest & Syvret enough for all their help during what was a really difficult time for me.’
‘I can’t thank Nina Benest enough for all her support, hard work and dedication to helping me and my family get the result that we had only dreamed of. A huge thank you must also go to Clare Woodhouse, who supported Nina in her work and has been very helpful with the many queries that I have had over the years.’
‘This firm is a comfortable place to step into. It feels kind and friendly, efficient and calm. Certainly in my experience this is a unique skill while delivering excellent legal services.’
‘Clare Woodhouse – excellent combination of logical, strategic and kind. She listens, gets the point and makes it happen. She has a great way with people and so makes organising legal matters seem like a calm process, as it should be.’
‘A massive shout-out to Clare Woodhouse. This was a very emotional time for us in a horribly complicated family situation. From day one Clare’s knowledge of family law on our island and the professional advice she was able to give us made us feel in very safe hands and we felt privileged to have her on board.’
‘I have been kept informed at every point of my case and have had regular meetings to discuss options at every point. They have also been very realistic about outcomes and allowed me to be the driving force, I have never felt at any point pressured to continue. They have shown genuine empathy during a very difficult time.’
Key clients
Penelope Chapman
Chantal Cottillard
Fleur Bressat
Jennifer Noel
Jamie McIntosh
Susan and Robert Walker
Rachel Genee McDermott
Anna Messervy
Nazrul Haque
Work highlights
- Represented a young person with multiple diagnoses of ADHD, ODD and gender dysphoria in public law proceedings concerning care and residency provisions.
- Represented a father seeking to enforce visitation requirements with his son after his mother had removed him from Jersey without permission.
- Represented a mother in defending public law proceedings, where children had been removed from the home by Children’s Services, and acted in subsequent claims for declaratory relief and damages under Article 8 of the ECHR.
Parslows
Under Natalie Jenner‘s leadership, the team at Parslows represents clients in a range of matrimonial proceedings, including divorce and separation agreements and contentious ancillary issues, as well as assisting with the drafting of pre- and post-nuptial agreements. The practice also takes on private child matters, such as parental responsibility disputes, leave to remove applications and surname changes.
Practice head(s):
Natalie Jenner
Testimonials
‘Approachable. Partner led. Responsiveness.’
‘Natalie Jenner offers a judgement-free space where you will be listened to. I felt supported by her and she helped me to make some very difficult decisions. Every time I speak to her, I come away feeling empowered with a sense of clarity. She offered sensible advice and guided me through various processes at a very difficult time. She has excellent knowledge of family law. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.’
‘Excellent client service, knowledgeable, caring staff. Effective communication, clear and concise information. I wish I had used Parslows years ago and I am sure the outcome I faced would have been very different.’