Jessica advises on all family law matters arising from the breakdown of relationships including divorce/dissolution, financial remedy proceedings, Schedule 1 proceedings, arrangements for children including specific issue, contact, living arrangements, applications for leave to remove children from the jurisdiction and surrogacy. She has keen interest in and regularly advises on cohabitation agreements, and pre- and post- nuptial agreements. The majority of her work has an international element and complex legal and/or jurisdictional issues.
Jessica has experience working with a wide range of clients including entrepreneurs, City and other professionals, clients with dynastic wealth, landed estates and noble rankings, CEOs and other C-Suite members of Publicly Listed companies, high profile and well-known individuals, as well as clients who have dedicated their time to raising children and/or running a family home.
Most of Jessica's cases are settled privately, avoiding a protracted court process. Where that has not been possible or appropriate she has worked on cases determined in the Court of Appeal, High Court, Central Family Court and other Family Courts across the country.
Jessica has significant experience advising on financial remedy proceedings, taking a bespoke and commercially focused approach to each family's individual circumstances. Recent cases have involved significant pensions, crypto currencies, family businesses, family trusts and inherited / pre-acquired assets, complex remuneration structures, corporate entities both in the UK and abroad and cases with issues of non-disclosure / offshore assets where asset tracing exercises have been required. Jessica also has experiences of cases with valuable chattels, such as wine, antique collections, artwork and jewellery.
When acting in children matters, Jessica frequently engages with mediation, counselling, and/or co-parenting experts who can assist the family from a non-legal perspective. Recent experience includes child arrangements, child abduction, surrogacy, international relocation and domestic relocation, specific issue order applications regarding, schooling, holidays, and changing of a child's name. Jessica also has experience of cases with issues of addiction, and allegations of child abuse.
Jessica's work often has an international element and has included jurisdictions such as the US, Dubai, Russia, the BVI, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Iran, Poland, Ukraine, the Channel Islands, France, Portugal, Cyprus, Spain and Germany. She frequently works with foreign lawyers.
Jessica sits on the YRES National Committee for Resolution. Resolution is the country's largest community of family justice professionals which works to promote a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters. Jessica has contributed to the organisation of and spoken at the annual National YRES Conference. Jessica contributes to the team's pro bono initiatives, including pro bono cases and she gives advice at a pro bono family law clinic.