Blog
Why prenups are taken more seriously
Jane Keir
Jane is one of the best-known and highly-regarded divorce lawyers in the UK. As Spears highlighted in 2024, she is ‘who the super-rich turn to when they separate’.
Jane is described as a "class act" by her peers and clients alike, who say that she is "absolutely dedicated to getting the job done for her clients, many of whom are high profile or international".
She works with a wide range of clients and their spouses, including celebrities, entrepreneurs, business owners and other HNW individuals and their families. Her cases often involve complex finances, inherited wealth and multiple international jurisdictions, and her focus is always on the wellbeing of everyone involved, especially the children.
Jane is very well known not only for securing favourable, early settlements for her clients, but for being highly strategic and innovative in her approach to settling difficult disputes. In particular, she is highly adept at resolving seemingly intractable challenges for the financially weaker party.
Jane is also regularly consulted by families about how their wealth can be protected for the next generation, and advises on the use of pre and post nuptial agreements.
Jane is top ranked Band 1 in Chambers and the Legal 500, where clients say, ‘Jane has seen and done everything. Clients adore her rightly, she is a star." and “Jane is brilliantly sophisticated and quick, yet she remains practical and sensible." Jane is also listed in the top flight category in Spears Family Law 2025.
Jane led Kingsley Napley’s family practice for 13 years before becoming the firm’s Senior Partner from 2013 – 18. She is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She is also a regular contributor of articles to legal publications and the media, a regular speaker and she chairs the annual flagship conference for divorce litigation in November each year.
PUBLICATIONS, PRESS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- London property investor told to pay ex-wife £15m after hiding fortune - The Telegraph, August 2025
- Popping the question? Most Britons would consider a prenup - The Times, February 2025
- Rich opt out of English courts for private divorces - Financial Times, January 2025
- Rory McIlroy's divorce U-turn and the rise of reconciliation contracts - Spears, June 2024
- Who are London's top divorce lawyers? LawFuel, June 2024
- The best divorce lawyers in London - Spears, June 2024
- Couples who were on the brink of divorce - and how they recovered - The Telegraph, June 2024
- Rory McIIroy's decision to cancel his divorce - GB News Live, June 2024
- How to make partner in a top law firm - Spears, October 2023
- Non-Matrimonial Property in Divorce Proceedings - ThoughtLeaders4 HNW Divorce, July 2023
- Lawyer in the news: Jane Keir - The Law Society Gazette, March 2020
- Law Society Gazette, March 2020 - Wife awarded £400k for sacrificing her solicitor career
- eprivateclient, March 2020 - Wife awarded £400k compensation for her law career sacrifice in landmark case
- Daily Mail, February 2020 - Female Cambridge graduate lawyer who 'sacrificed' her career to look after her children is awarded £400,000 compensation from ex-husband on top of equal share of couple's £10m assets in divorce case
- Express Digest, February 2020 - Female lawyer who 'sacrificed' career to look after her children awarded £400,000 compensation
- Family Law Week, March 2020 - Mother awarded £400,000 in divorce for stepping back from her career
- RT, February 2020 - Victim culture hits the courts: Woman gets paid for career she MIGHT have had but gave up for marriage and kids
- The Guardian, February 2020 - Woman wins payout for stymied career in landmark divorce case | Life and style
- The Mirror, February 2020 - Judge says mum should be compensated £400,000 for giving up career to raise kids
- The Stylist, February 2020 - This landmark divorce case could change things for working women who start a family
What clients and directories say
Jane Keir's an absolute star; clients love her. She's a fantastic strategist and endgame planner."
Chambers HNW 2025
Jane Keir is delightful to work with, brilliant with clients and leads her team well. She knows the team fantastically well."
Chambers HNW 2025
Jane Keir is a superstar. She builds confidence in all those around her."
Legal 500, 2025
Jane is brilliantly sophisticated and quick, yet she remains practical and sensible."
Chambers High Net Worth, 2024
Jane is really measured, she gives sound advice, and clients find her to be a real steady pair of hands."
Chambers High Net Worth, 2024
Jane has seen and done everything. Clients adore her rightly, she is a star."
Chambers High Net Worth, 2024
Jane Keir is the big cheese. She is very intellectual, measured, thoughtful and genuinely impressive."
Chambers High Net Worth, 2024
She has a superb grasp of the intricacies of family law but also possesses a very human understanding of complexities involved."
Chambers High Net Worth, 2024
She is a remarkable, very experienced and tenacious lawyer."
Chambers UK 2023
She has got it all: she's fantastic with clients, hyper organised and extraordinarily intelligent. She is an excellent strategist."
Chambers UK 2023
She is impeccable in all she does, even in the most difficult cases."
Chambers UK 2023
An extremely accomplished lawyer in this field with experience of complex matters spanning the globe and knowledge of what needs to be done to best assist her client."
Legal 500 UK 2023
Extensive experience in financial remedy cases involving considerable wealth. One source notes: "Jane is absolutely assured and has a fantastic way with clients," while another labels her "a class act."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Absolutely excellent. She has a very high profile and she's also extremely good at client care. She's a very hard worker and she's very well respected."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Recent cases
Jane has acted in the following reported cases among others:
- Mrs Stalo Michael (applicant) v Mr Mario Michael (respondent)
- PS v NB [2023] EWHC 3485 - the order is under appeal
- PS v NB [2023] EWHC 3485 (Fam) - Successfully acting for a wife in high value and complex financial proceedings, in her interim applications for maintenance and historic and ongoing legal fees from the husband
- Lockwood v Greenbaum (2022) EWHC 845 - with Lucy Stone KC and Sean O'Beirne
- Santi v Santi (2021) KBD (Nicklin J) – privacy case with Alex Bishop, Richard Clayman and Adam Speker KC)
- Traharne v Limb [2022] EWFC 27 - with Mia Harrison and Justin Warshaw KC and Charlotte Proudman
- RC v JC [2020] EWHC 466 (Fam) - acted for the wife in a successful and rare compensation case
- Daga and Bangur [2018] EWFC 91 - acted for the wife in contested high value finances involving trusts and non-matrimonial assets
- AW v Executors of the Estate of HA & Others [2015] EWHC 2233 (Fam) - concerning the setting aside of a Financial Order made at the conclusion of divorce proceedings and revising the amount to be paid whilst dealing with the existence of a Prenuptial Agreement
- A v B & C [2012] EWCA Civ 285 - acted for the father in a ground-breaking case in the Court of Appeal as a result of which she was named as the “The Times Lawyer of the Week” in April 2012
- Z v A [2012] EWHC 467 (Fam) - acted for a wife, following an overseas divorce and securing a substantial order for her client and the payment of her client’s costs
Professional memberships and awards
- Member - The City of London Law Society;
- Fellow - International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL);
- Member- Resolution Family Justice professionals
- Trustee – The Racing Foundation;
- Spears 500 - HNW Family Lawyers
- Doyle's Guide 2025, Leading, Family & Divorce Lawyer
