Ketley Miller Joels Ltd

Ketley Miller Joels Ltd is a leading specialist family law firm based in Mayfair, in Central London. The firm acts for high-net-worth clients and is particularly well known for handling complex financial cases involving multiple jurisdictions, as well as complex private children matters.

The firm: Set up in 2010 by Mary Ketley, Clayton Miller and Jessica Joels, the firm has grown over the years under the dynamic leadership of Clayton Miller, to establish a well-earned reputation as an excellent, dedicated, niche, family law practice. The firm’s expert team of solicitors are all members of Resolution and are committed to resolving cases in a constructive and cost-effective way. The firm’s dispute resolution offering is a key area of recent growth.

The team are also experienced in litigation and have been involved in numerous reported cases. These include successfully acting for the applicant in the leading authority on cases concerning Schedule 1 of the Children Act, Re P [2004] EWHC 3180 (Fam). Other cases of note include B v B [2003] 2 FLR 285, P v P [2004] EWHC 3180 (Fam), Hudson v Leigh [2009] EWHC 1306 (Fam), Re H (A Child) [2010] EWCA, Hussein v Ahmad & Others [2014] EWHC 721 (Fam), Whaley v Whaley [2011] EWCA Civ 617 and Thiry v Thiry [2014] EWHC 4046 (Fam).

Ketley Miller Joels' work covers the full spectrum of private family law, from complex nuptial agreements through to matters relating to divorce, financial remedy, children disputes, TOLATA applications, Schedule 1 and the less usual declaration of marital status and nullity cases. Ketley Miller Joels also regularly represents clients in international relocation and child abduction matters.

Ketley Miller Joels is able to deal with sensitive matters with the utmost discretion and as such is regularly referred high-profile matters where it is very important to keep matters out of the public domain. It prides itself on strong connections with clients going beyond a single case. The clients are longstanding and often refer business on a recurring basis. All cases are partner-supervised, a key requirement for a client base that is predominantly high-net-worth.

Types of work undertaken
Divorce and financial remedies: Ketley Miller Joels deals with divorce and complex financial remedies often involving multiple jurisdictions, complicated financial structures, valuations, pensions, off-shore companies, trusts, business assets, pre-acquired/inherited assets , post separation accrual, variation of maintenance orders and enforceability of foreign orders. It has the expertise to deal with emergency applications in freezing assets or securing interim financial provision where necessary.

Pre and post nuptial agreements: The subject of many recent high-profile cases, these agreements are becoming increasingly attractive when considering asset protection. Ketley Miller Joels advises on and drafts these agreements.

Children: Ketley Miller Joels deals sensitively with all issues relating to children, including arrangements for children on separation, whether as part of a divorce settlement or for unmarried couples, and related disputes. The firm has extensive experience in dealing with emergency applications in relation to children including abduction and orders protecting children.

Cohabitation: Ketley Miller Joels can advise on all areas relating to cohabitation, including agreements which can be entered into before and after cohabitation and which provide contractual certainty regarding property and financial matters. There have been recent changes in the law in this area and the firm ensures clients are advised on how best to protect their financial interests. Where there is a dispute as to property, the firm advises clients on the best way forward. As above, the firm is also well able to advise on any disputes involving children, whether arrangements or financial matters.

Civil partnerships: Ketley Miller Joels advises on and prepares civil partnership agreements dealing with all financial matters including pensions, offshore trusts and company structures. It is also able to advise clients on options concerning the dissolution of civil partnerships.

Mediation and arbitration: The firm has a qualified mediator as well as an arbitrator that can assist in the alternative dispute resolution of matters without the need for expensive legal proceedings.