Benest & Syvret

Family Law

Nina is an extraordinary Advocate with vast knowledge and experience gleaned over twenty years in family law practice. She is one of three partners of the firm and head of family law, dispute resolution and litigation teams. Advocate Benest has a wealth of experience undertaking negotiations, mediation, and private financial dispute resolution hearings as well as regularly appearing in court at all stages of the litigation process. She has represented a number of landmark cases in particular Downes v Marshall 2010 JRC 115B in which the court redefined the test for appeals from the family registrar to the Royal Court.  In U v V [2019] JRC 110 Advocate Benest was representing children caught in the middle of lengthy and acrimonious proceedings between their parents.  The Court in its judgement referred to her closing address as “devastatingly critical” of the parents’ conduct.

From May 2020 until March 2022 Advocate Benest advised and represented a father in private children proceedings whose child had been abducted.  She was involved in tracing the child’s whereabouts, assisting with the father’s representation in Hague Convention proceedings in another jurisdiction that went to appeal, securing the child’s return to Jersey, applying for ex-parte non-removal injunctions against the mother on her return to Jersey, and extended residence and contact hearings arising from the mother’s alienation of the children from its father.  Ultimately Advocate Benest secured findings against the mother following a lengthy fact find hearing, a change in residence in favour of her client and successfully defended an appeal by the mother.

Advocate Benest is an accredited member of the Jersey Children’s Panel and represents children and parents in public law proceedings. In addition, she is a member of Jersey Family Law Association having previously served as its Honorary Secretary and Honorary Chairman and is also a member of Resolution. Advocate Benest is very approachable, has great people skills, works diligently to understand different clients’ needs and provide the relevant support.

Nina has over has over twenty years’ experience in the legal profession in Jersey. She was sworn in as an Advocate of the Royal Court in August 1999, having been called to the English Bar in 1996 (Middle Temple). Nina joined Benest & Syvret at its inception in October 1997.

Jersey Children's Panel

Jersey Family Law Association

Member of Resolution