Jane Porter - Head of Team

Jane is a Partner and leads the Family Team.

Jane is instructed by high net worth clients with complicated issues and where specialist knowledge is required to unravel trusts, understand the importance of competing jurisdictions and comprehend and forensically dismantle complex family companies and pension funds. Jane also advises on pre-nuptial agreements, cohabitation claims and disputes relating to children.

Jane is a trained family mediator and a practising collaborative lawyer.

• Jane is a member of Resolution
• Listed in the "Citywealth” Leaders List 2010
• Recognised by the Good Lawyer Guide 2010 for outstanding legal practice
• Trained Mediator
• Collaborative Lawyer
• Ranked as a Leading Individual for Family/Matrimonial (The South) in Chambers UK 2012

Recent work

• Instructed in a high net worth matrimonial dispute which involved the valuation of several family businesses across the South. The businesses were held in complex and divergent corporate and partnership structures involving third parties. A settlement was negotiated at the door of the court whereby the client achieved a result which would have been impossible on a fully contested basis
• Acted for a client in achieving a 74% share of the total matrimonial assets. There was a real danger that on the face of the facts the agreement would be construed as unfair by the court however some skilful drafting of the consent agreement and accompanying documents resulted in the order being made by the court
• Acted for a non domiciled client with assets of the marriage spread across Europe. There were difficult issues arising out of non-disclosure and the complexity of the parties’ affairs. A fair result was achieved with the client retaining a significant proportion of income and the foreign property
• Acted for a client in respect of a protracted residence and contact dispute with multiple applications to the court and claims against the client by a vexatious litigant. Jane was successful in defending these claims and ultimately in obtaining a residence order in favour of her client

Jane Porter heads the family department and is its leading light. Clients applaud her honesty: "She is very direct and straight to the point - says it how it is. She doesn't lead you in the wrong direction."She has recently been particularly busy in the drafting of prenuptial agreements.
Chambers UK 2012

Team head Jane Porter is ‘first rate'.
The Legal 500 UK 2011

"Just a quick note to thank you for your constant support, help and advice over the last two years and for your part in the excellent result at court last week. It was once suggested to me that, during difficult times, every day you should try to think of three things in your life for which you are grateful. I can honestly say that you have featured on my list more than anyone or anything else! The hearing was a totally draining experience but I feel it was all very worthwhile in the end, both financially and in terms of the moral victory."
Mrs X