Yorkshire And The Humber

A Supreme Court ruling on whether substantial assets transferred between spouses during marriage should be divided equally on divorce - has reignited the importance of Pre-nups. The ‘big money case’ saw divorcee Anna Standish lose her legal case to keep almost £80 million which her affluent banker husband had given her in 2017 to put in offshore trusts for their children and to avoid inheritance tax. When their marriage fell apart in 2020, the money was still in her name, sparking a bitter, prolonged case which played out in the highest courts in the land. The outcome is a reminder of the importance of Pre-nups for all couples tying the knot, especially for high-net-worth individuals and families involved in estate and inheritance planning. Irrespective of a couple’s financial status, a Pre-nup helps couples to avoid the potential distress, acrimony, and expense of disentangling their finances if they split up. How to obtain a Pre-nup To enter into an agreement properly, the couple each need to obtain independent legal advice on the agreement Both must also have disclosed their assets to each other - and the terms of the agreement must produce a result that is fair and reasonable and meets needs The agreement should be negotiated and signed at least 28 days before the wedding. This allows both to obtain advice, have time to consider it, and make an informed decision on signing it Do courts uphold Pre-nups? Increasingly courts are upholding pre-nups on divorce if they are satisfied that the agreement was entered into freely, without undue pressure and with the benefit of full financial information and independent legal advice. As the law stands, a court still needs to approve the settlement at the point of divorce, ensuring the agreement meets the needs of both parties. If it does not, a different order can be made but this is likely still to take the terms of the Pre-nup into account to some extent. Are Pre-nups suitable for second marriages? Yes. The contracts can work particularly well for couples marrying for the second time where a husband or wife seeks to retain their own wealth if they separate. They can also protect the interests of children from previous relationships. Taking the time to draw up a Pre-nup before marriage can avoid financial and emotional heartache in a marriage breakdown. Jones Myers family law specialists are highly experienced in advising on Pre-nups and Post-nups. 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 [email protected] or tweet @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 5th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025. By Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Mitchell

Multi award-winning family law firm, Jones Myers, has received a Highly Commended accolade for Outstanding Client Care. The practice’s commitment to consistently delivering excellence in family law has been acknowledged by judges at The Modern Law Private Client Awards 2025 held in Liverpool. In the Outstanding Client Care category for family law firms with over 26 employees, judges acknowledged how client care lies at the heart of the firm’s ethos. The award was also based on how Jones Myers innovates to improve and maintain client care, embraces digital technologies - and meets customer expectations. Richard Peaker, Jones Myers Managing Partner, said: “This recognition reflects the care and commitment of our teams across Leeds, Harrogate and York who consistently strive to excel in the calibre of client care they deliver. We are proud to again be acknowledged as among the best family lawyers in the country.” Jones Myers dedication to client care is also reflected in the firm’s standing in the top five per cent of UK law practices which deliver family law services. The ranking by Review Solicitors, an independent legal review site, also highlights how Jones Myers outperforms its peers nationwide and awards the practice a consistent ‘Excellent’ rating. Renowned for attracting the best family lawyers who are leaders in their field, Jones Myers has recently marked further team expansion across York and Harrogate. A series of new appointments include Sarah Barr-Young, a named Legal 500 ‘Key’ Lawyer and Chambers ‘Notable Practitioner’, who heads the Financial Remedies Department in Harrogate. 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. 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 [email protected] or tweet @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 5th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

The Harrogate town centre office of niche family law firm, Jones Myers, is marking further expansion with the appointment of Paralegal, Ross Arthur.    Ross is a member of Jones Myers’ award-winning Children’s Department which is renowned regionally, nationally, and internationally - and covers every area of public and private children’s law. Attracted to Jones Myers’ powerful reputation for both legal excellence and compassionate client care, Ross appreciates how the firm balances professionalism with a personal approach. Says Ross: “The opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners, work on wide-ranging cases, and be part of a supportive team environment really stood out to me. “Working with, and learning from, family law specialists on wide-ranging cases, I am enjoying liaising with clients and being part of a supportive team who helps them to achieve the best bespoke solutions for their individual situations.” Jones Myers Partner, Kate Banerjee, who heads the Children’s Department, says: “We warmly welcome Ross to the team and wish him a long and successful career in family law. He is a very committed team member whose values are aligned with our firm’s ethos to consistently deliver excellence in family law.” Jones Myers’ extensive expertise in family law has been further enhanced with the appointment of  Sarah Barr-Young who heads 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. Doubling the size of its York city centre team with a series of new appointments, in July this year Jones Myers received a Highly Commended accolade for Outstanding Client Care at The Modern Law Private Client Awards 2025. In the Outstanding Client Care category for family law firms with over 26 employees, judges acknowledged how the firm innovates to improve and maintain client care, embraces digital technologies - and meets customer expectations. 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. 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 [email protected] or tweet @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

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 Chldren’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. 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 [email protected] or tweet us @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 5th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.