Yorkshire

By Sarah Barr-Young, Head of Jones Myers’ Financial Remedies Department in Harrogate A series of studies has 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 and 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, [email protected] or tweet @helpwithdivorce. Jones Myers blog is ranked 4th among the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

Jones Myers has helped to enhance the quality of life for disabled Artmakers by contributing presents for a festive fundraiser. Support from the niche family law firm has helped to raise £3,000 for Henshaws which supports people living with a range of disabilities to discover their talents, put them into practice - and realise their full potential. The Christmas Fair, a fun-packed, colourful family event, went down a treat with stalls showcasing Artmakers’ creativity and handmade gifts. The presents purchased and wrapped by Jones Myers’ Harrogate team were given out to excited children visiting Santa and Mrs Claus special grotto. Flora Simpson, Henshaws Senior Philanthropy Manager, said: “Our Christmas Fair was an enormous success in every aspect with a wonderful festive atmosphere. Enormous thanks to Jones Myers, our fellow business partners, and our team for their fabulous contribution. “As a charity, Henshaws relies heavily on fundraising donations and gifts-in kind to help us  achieve our ambitious goals and we appreciate and value all the support we receive.” In recent years Jones Myers has been pleased to help Henshaws service users to achieve a fulfilling life with a variety of activities including volunteering, completing a Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge and supporting Henshaws Christmas Fairs and Beer Festivals. Kate Banerjee, Jones Myers Partner and Head of the Children’s Department, said: “It is very uplifting to know that we are helping to fund materials so Artmakers can harness their talents in a community built around creativity, connection and inclusivity. “We have seen the incredible results of their work over the years and never cease to be inspired by Henshaws inspirational support for its service users, including those with profound and multiple learning and physical difficulties.” For more information on how individuals and companies can get involved with fundraising for Henshaws, visit https://www.ehnshaws.or.uk/get-involved/fundraising/ Twitter @Henshaws Facebook/Henshaws. Jones Myers, which has headquarters in Leeds and offices in York city centre and Harrogate town centre has retained its top tier ranking in esteemed legal guides for over three decades. Committed to give back to its local communities, the firm works with a range of charity partners to help them to make a difference. For queries on all aspects of children law, divorce and family law, call 01423 276104.  Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email [email protected] or tweet @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 4th among the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.  

Niche family law firm Jones Myers has retained its top position as an outstanding family law firm in the Legal 500 2026 rankings which are based on client interviews and recommendations.  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.” Managing Partner, Richard Peaker, head of the Financial Remedies Department, retains his status as a Leading Partner. An expert in complex financial disputes, Richard is regularly instructed in multi-jurisdictional proceedings and cases involving complex corporate and (often offshore) trust structures.   Fellow Leading Partner, Kate Banerjee, Head of the Children’s Department, is praised for her client dedication, depth of knowledge and sensitivity in highly emotive cases. “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.” Next Generation Partner, Anthony Parrish is described as “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 named as 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 Jones Myers 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.”   Managing Partner, Richard Peaker, said: “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 children law or other family law issues, call Leeds 0113 246 0055, Harrogate 01423 276104, York on 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email [email protected] or tweet  @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 4th in the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

Enormous congratulations to Jones Myers’ committed Paralegal, Lauren Warford who has qualified as a family law solicitor.   Lauren is a valued member of the practice’s internationally renowned Children’s Team whose extensive expertise across private and public children law jointly combines over 16 decades. The Department’s specialisms cover matters relating to jurisdiction, private residence and contact disputes along with care proceedings. Family lawyers are also highly skilled in adoption, special guardianship, protection, relocation, educational matters, and domestic abuse. Lauren, who took her master’s degree at the University of Law in Leeds, has worked with Jones Myers since 2018 and was attracted to the firm’s ethos and values. Said Lauren: “I was impressed by the practice’s commitment to always deliver the best possible  solutions for clients, and by how Jones Myers always puts children’s best interests first. “The team have been outstanding in supporting, mentoring, and encouraging me and it has been incredible learning from, and working with, family law specialists who are leaders in their field. I can’t thank them enough.” Lauren achieved her Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) which assesses legal knowledge, professional conduct, ethics, and practical skills and is now looking forward to the next stage of her career and managing her own cases. Jones Myers Partner, Kate Banerjee, who leads the Children’s Department, said: “Lauren is a valued member of our team and we wish her continued success. Her dedication and hard work, which included studying alongside her busy paralegal work,  makes her promotion extremely well deserved.” Jones Myers, which has headquarters in Leeds and offices in Harrogate and York, was launched in 1992 as one of the first family law firms of its kind in the North of England. Highly commended for its outstanding client care in the 2025 Modern Law Private Client Awards, the firm has retained its top tier ranking in legal guides for over three decades. The practice was also a finalist in the Family Law Firm of the Year Regional category - which covers the North of England - in the Lexis Nexis 2025 Family Law Awards. Judges shortlisted the firm on factors including the firm’s outstanding level of client care, teamwork and the training and career progression of employees. For queries on children law or other family law issues, call Leeds 0113 246 0055, Harrogate 01423 276104, York on 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email [email protected] or tweet  @helpwithdivorce Jones Myers blog is ranked 4th in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.