Jones Nickolds > Chislehurst, England > Firm Profile

Jones Nickolds
Suite 5 Langford House
7 – 7A High Street
Chislehurst
BR7 5AB
England

Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 1

The ‘incredibly professional, knowledgeable and supportive' team at Jones Nickolds works across Beckenham and Chislehurst, advising clients on both highly contested litigation and alternative forms of dispute resolution with Rachel Woodd standing out for her deep expertise in mediation. Beckenham's Lisa Jones co-leads the team, and is noted for her strong focus on financial cases involving substantial assets. In Chislehurst, Claire Nickolds routinely handles financial disputes involving family businesses and trust assets. Gemma Irving often handles matters with international elements. James Patrick was promoted to partner in August 2023, and is a key name for nuptial agreements.

Practice head(s):

Lisa Jones; Claire Nickolds; Gemma Irving

Other key lawyers:

Rachel Woodd; Alexandra Gray; Mai-Ling Ho; Amy Stone; James Patrick

Testimonials

‘From the initial consultation to the final piece of work together I cannot fault Jones Nickolds at any point. Their knowledge, support, pragmatism and efforts have been unequivocally brilliant. I could not be more pleased I instructed their support for my case and would have no hesitation in recommending them to people I know.’

‘The team at Jones Nickolds are wonderful – incredibly professional, knowledgeable and supportive. My divorce has not been amicable but I know I have received the best advice throughout and been guided to what is best for the children and I going forward.’

‘Expert knowledge and experience, pragmatic and realistic advice, very efficient, clear communications’

‘Lisa Jones is extremely bright and cuts to the chase. She has the ability to pick up the true issues in a case in an instant. She handles very high asset cases and is particularly adept at cases involving high profile individuals, inspiring them with confidence with her ability and discretion.’

‘James Patrick is one to watch. He is a new partner whose assured and calm demeanour belies his years’

‘Jones Nickolds is, quite simply, a consistently first-rate team. The partners and associates are consistently excellent. They provide a service that one would expect from a high-end central London firm, and are very competitive on fees.’

‘Jones Nickolds are the go-to family law firm in Kent and its surrounds. Now very established, they have an enviable and well-earned reputation for offering central London quality work at lower rates. ’

‘Rachel Woodd is absolutely stellar mediator. Her reputation is unprecedented in the market, and she is extremely sought after for even the most intractable mediations. A true star of the mediation world.’

Work highlights

Private client > Family: mediation Tier 3

‘Star mediatorRachel Woodd at Jones Nickolds, undertakes integrated and shuttle mediation for both financial and children matters, often assisting parties who struggle to communicate. Woodd is noted for her ‘strong collaborative ethos at the heart of every case’, and recommended for ‘difficult and complex cases with multiple parties’.

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Rachel Woodd is a star mediator. She has vast experience, detailed knowledge and huge empathy; the perfect combination for a mediator.’

‘Rachel Woodd is a go-to mediator. She mediates some of the more difficult and complex cases with multiple parties and manages to mastermind some of the most complex law and personalities. If you want a mediator at the very top of their career and if you want a resolution, then Rachel is your mediator.’

‘Rachel Woodd is unflappable and has a strong collaborative ethos at the heart of every case. She offers her client pragmatic, no-nonsense advice while powerfully advocating the clients case to the opposition.’

‘Jones Nickolds is an excellent and very well-regarded boutique, offering a central London service in Kent.’

‘Rachel Woodd is one of the finest and most skilled mediators of her generation. She is empathetic and effective and one of only a very small number of solicitors to actually practice routinely as a mediator as well as a solicitor.’

‘A long-established and respected outer-London boutique.’

‘Rachel Woodd is one of the few go-to mediators in London. Very adept with outstanding inter-personal and client management skills and incredibly emotionally intelligent. She is able to completely reverse negativity and work wonders.’

‘The mediation team at Jones Nickolds is very experienced, both as mediators and as solicitors. They are approachable, hard working, great value, have a detailed knowledge of the law and huge knowledge and experience on how to conduct mediations and assist parties to reach an agreement that works for all.’

Work highlights

This boutique practice specialises solely in family law, providing a dedicated and cost-effective service in matters ranging from divorce and financial issues to parenting disputes. Cohabitation disputes, collaborative law and mediation are also specialisms.

The firm: The practice was founded in 2010 by Lisa Jones and Claire Nickolds.  They have successfully achieved their aim of creating an energetic and dynamic firm that provides a central London quality of service without London prices. Jones Nickolds has grown swiftly, with Gemma Irving (Withers), Rachel Woodd (Dawsons), Alexandra Gray (Thomson Snell & Passmore) and James Patrick (Harbottle & Lewis) also now partners. The partnership is supported by fourteen assistant solicitors.

All clients receive the dedicated personal service of an experienced family law expert, who will provide clear and realistic advice. While always safeguarding and pursuing client’s interests rigorously, the practice is mindful that the most successful outcomes are usually those agreed between couples rather than imposed by a court. The firm provides each client a tailor-made approach for their particular circumstances and deals with every matter in a professional, civilised and constructive manner.

The firm is conscious that many clients have never dealt with a solicitor or the courts before.  They carefully advise and guide clients through the process.  Staff can meet clients face-to-face at Jones Nickolds offices or conference rooms in central London.

Types of work undertaken: All options are available, ranging from traditional litigation, voluntary disclosure and early settlement discussions, as well as collaborative law, mediation or a hybrid approach.

First-class expertise is provided in all aspects of divorce and its financial consequences, including court orders, matters relating to children and parenting disputes, international family law issues, civil partnerships, nuptial agreements, disputes between co-habitees, pensions issues, contact and residence disputes, and enforcement or variation of court orders.

The full range of alternative dispute resolution services are offered.  Three of the partners are collaboratively trained, and Rachel Woodd and Mai-Ling Ho both have a growing mediation practice.  The practice has excellent links with some of the top-ranked barristers chambers in the country.

Department Name Email Telephone
Equity partner Lisa Jones
Equity partner Claire Nickolds
Equity partner Gemma Irving
Number of UK partners : 6
Number of other UK fee-earners : 15