The highly knowledgeable family law team at JMW Solicitors LLP ‘provides a first-class service and has an enviable reputation in the sector’. The Manchester-based group is co-led by Elspeth Kinder, who has extensive experience in acting for high-net-worth clients in divorce and matrimonial finance cases, as well as children work, and the ‘strategically aware and commercial’ Michael Chapman, who has particular expertise in Schedule 1 claims. Also in Manchester, David Pickering is a divorce expert who frequently advises clients with assets located overseas and offshore trusts, and Katie Lowe, who focuses on the financial side of divorce and is praised by clients as ‘simply brilliant’. The group also includes head of the Liverpool team Beverley Jones, who specialises in high-net-worth financial proceedings and children cases, such as Schedule 1 claims and surrogacy matters, and in-house counsel Abigail Bennett, who is a ‘formidable advocate and strategist’ in cases relating to matrimonial finances, Schedule 1 claims, and Children Act proceedings. Pauline McNamara joined the firm's Liverpool office in February 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A force across England and Wales. JMW is one of the best firms in the country.’
‘A really excellent family firm with great client support skills. JMW provides a first-class service and has an enviable reputation in the sector.’
‘Michael Chapman is excellent. He is very strategically aware and commercial.'
- 'Abigail Bennett is a formidable advocate and strategist.'
- ‘Beverley Jones and Abigail Bennett are standout individuals who are excellent lawyers and incredibly hard working.’
‘Ruben Sinha is probably the brightest shining star of matrimonial finance in the North West. In just a few years after returning from Hong Kong, he has raced ahead of the competition. He is a superb matrimonial solicitor.'
‘Katie Lowe is simply brilliant. Fantastically clever, kind, courteous, engaged, and an absolute pleasure to work with. She specialises in the most complex cases and will find a way through.’
- 'Matthew Handley's approach enables him to put clients facing the most difficult of circumstances at immediate ease and he is very generous with the time that he commits to providing training to junior members of the team.'
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Practice head
Elspeth Kinder; Michael Chapman; Beverley Jones
Other key lawyers
David Pickering; Katie Lowe; Abigail Bennett; Matthew Handley; Ruben Sinha; Pauline McNamara