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Don’t make an awful year even worse…Separation and Capital Gains tax
James Ward
Legal 500 UK 2021
Jane acts for equal numbers of men and women and many of her clients come from across the country and abroad, as well as London. Much of her work involves an international element and she enjoys working with other lawyers, accountants, actuaries, financial advisers, wealth managers and investigators in order to provide a thorough and comprehensive service to her clients. In addition, she has immediate recourse to all the other leading teams at Kingsley Napley LLP, including Private Client, Immigration and Real Estate.
The strength and depth of Jane’s practice means that she and the team are reported regularly in the legal press and law reports. In 2020 she acted for the successful wife in RC v JC, a landmark compensation case which received widespread media interest. In 2021, together with Alex Bishop, Richard Clayman and Adam Speker QC in the High Court Queen’s Bench Division, she represented the husband concerning breach of privacy issues in the matter of Santi v Santi (2021) QBD (Nicklin J). She also represented the wife in the case concerning the treatment of a post nuptial agreement in Traharne v Limb [2022] EWFC 27 - with Mia Harrison and Justin Warshaw QC and Charlotte Proudman. Most recently she represented the husband in Lockwood v Greenbaum (2022) EWHC 845 - with Lucy Stone QC and Sean O'Beirne.
Jane's strengths lie in her early analysis of a case and in making the arguments that lead to an early settlement. She is highly adept at finding the right angles which can make all the difference and uncovering and using the facts to secure the best outcomes for those she represents. Jane is often consulted by senior family members for an overview as to how family wealth, often accumulated over generations, can be protected and in the use and application of pre and post nuptial agreements.
Jane is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and in November 2019, she spoke at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers meeting in Chicago on ‘Discovery Beyond our Borders' where she shared techniques and tips on financial discovery and asset tracing as between England and the USA. Jane will be co-chairing the ThoughtLeaders4's HNW Divorce Litigation conference in November 2022.
Jane has won numerous industry awards and was shortlisted as Family Lawyer of The Year for the Spear's Wealth Management Awards 2019. She is ranked in the Top Flight in Spear's Family Law Index and as a leading individual in The Legal 500, Chambers UK, Chambers HNW and Spear's 500.
In a highly popular, albeit unusually early move, she became Kingsley Napley’s Senior Partner in 2013, being then one of only four women to lead a UK Top 100 law firm. She fulfilled the role for five years before handing on to the current Senior Partner, Stephen Parkinson in 2018.
Jane is a very keen follower of horse racing. She owns and breeds thoroughbreds in the UK. In 2016 she was appointed a Trustee of the Racing Foundation. Jane in February 2022 was also appointed as a trustee of Dementia UK. Supporting people with dementia is a cause that is very close to her heart.
"Peers say she is "top class," "excellent," and "has an instinct about things which is really impressive""
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2019
"When clients are at their most vulnerable, they need to know they can rely on their solicitor. Jane has it all: fabulous client care skills, in-depth knowledge of the law, great instinct, sound relationships with her peers; all delivered with a twinkle in her eye and a steady hand."
Citywealth Leaders List
"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 2019, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
"She is robust, she is tough, easy to deal with, sensible, doesn't make bad points "
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2018
"Excellent client management skills – clients feel highly supported as she is very patient – looks at a situation very humanely"
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2018
“I often recommend her because she has all the ingredients of a fantastic lawyer - she is extremely clever, very client-friendly and takes just the right approach to negotiations”.
"You are my security blanket"
A client of Jane's
"The ‘tough, thorough and calm’ Jane Keir ‘has seen it all’"
Legal 500 UK 2017, The Clients Guide to The Law
"The "excellent" Jane Keir brings to family and matrimonial matters a "breadth of knowledge and a lightness of touch."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2016
"She's excellent, knows her stuff inside out and has a brilliant manner"
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
"Her strengths are client care skills. She is efficient and businesslike [and] she's got a good eye on getting a case sorted and finished"
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2016
"Hugely experienced"
Legal 500 UK
"Jane utilises all the experience, authority and personality that marks her out as senior partner. She is a serious, top class lawyer who flourishes in her demanding, highly impressive, role as senior partner of Kingsley Napley. She is one of the industries real Powerwomen."
Citywealth Leaders List, 2016
"Jane Keir's 'modest and straightforward manner is very reassuring.' She is 'pragmatic and sensible' and 'extremely knowledgeable about how to proceed and the best strategy to take'..."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
"...Responsive, solutions orientated...a pleasure to deal with...an excellent grasp of the law and the tax consequences."
Citywealth Leaders List, "Family & Matrimonial Honours List"
"Absolutely dedicated to getting the job done for her clients, many of whom are high profile or international. Jane utilises all the experience, authority and personality that marks her out as Senior Partner. She is a serious, top class lawyer who flourishes in her demanding, highly impressive, role as senior partner of Kingsley Napley, whilst maintaining a respected, quality family practice and consistently demonstrating an absolute commitment to her clients’ interests."
Citywealth Leaders List, 2016
“Jane Keir’s promotion to senior partner ‘emphasises the importance of family law at the firm’”
Legal 500 UK
"very clear on negotiations and extremely effective"
Chambers UK (ranked band 1): A client's guide the UK's legal profession
"I often recommend her because she has all the ingredients of a fantastic lawyer – she is extremely clever, very client-friendly and takes just the right approach to negotiations"
Chambers UK (ranked band 1): A client's guide the UK's legal profession
“A likeable and approachable character in an area of law that can easily become confrontational and over-wrought”
Chambers UK: A client’s guide to the UK legal profession
"[She] combines commercial awareness and acuity with extremely good client care skills”
Chambers UK: A client’s guide to the UK legal profession
“Jane Keir heads the family team at Kingsley Napley with ‘grace, style and a sharp intellect’ with strength across the department in both financial and children work”
Legal 500 UK
"…worth every penny and thanks again for every little bit of sympathy and patient advice. I maintain my sanity in no small part because of your efforts on my behalf”
A client of Jane's
Jane has acted in the following reported cases among others:
"She has handled huge trusts cases and she's really impressive. She is so well known and exceptionally client-focused; she works really hard for clients. She's really good at pushing the legal principles and she can see where legal arguments are going to go."
Chambers UK 2021
Woman wins payout for stymied career in landmark divorce case"
Jane Keir acted for the wife in RC v JC [2020] EWHC 466 (Fam)
"Jane is right up there with the leaders of the matrimonial finance world," adding that "her judgement is pinpoint accurate and she does it with humility. She is so clearly brilliant at her job, but there is none of the showmanship that goes with it. Jane just gets on with it."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2020
"One of the best" and "a really good example of how family lawyers should be"
Chambers UK 2020, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
"She is robust, she is tough, easy to deal with, sensible, doesn't make bad points"
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2018
"Absolutely excellent," and "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 2018, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
James Ward
Jane Keir
Jane Keir
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