The Family Law Company appoints specialist solicitor

Unmarried couples can now avail themselves of expert help, with the appointment of a specialist solicitor to support The Family Law Company’s unmarried finance team.

Experienced civil litigator Jane Swannell joins the company to provide advice in the resolution of property disputes. In addition, she will be concentrating on cases involving mental health law and Court of Protection work.

Originally from the Midlands, Jane first came to the region when her family moved to Exeter where she was educated at The Maynard School. After taking her law degree in Bristol and attending law school in Nottingham she returned to the South West for her training contract, working in Exeter and Bristol.

Jane qualified in 2004 and started with a large commercial law firm specialising in civil litigation. Over the past few years she has developed an interest in property litigation - which lends itself perfectly to complex areas of family law and unmarried couples where property ownership can be a grey area. She said:

“More and more couples are choosing not to marry, but there is still a mistaken belief that living together gives them rights; the ‘common law husband and wife’ theory.

“When a couple separates and one person owns the house but they share the maintenance bills, for example, or where there are unclear shares in home ownership, unravelling the legal situation can get complicated. My experience in civil and property litigation enables me to understand clearly what my client’s rights are.”

Jane was attracted to The Family Law Company because of its reputation and dynamic within the South West and further afield. “Coming from a large, national firm to a smaller, niche practice, I have already felt the benefits of working for a people-focused company. The Family Law Company has a caring attitude both towards clients and members of staff,” she explained.

Jane says she is particularly delighted to be working with David Cobern, an expert on unmarried finance who has written a comprehensive book, Living Together and the Law, about the subject. She is committed to the problem-solving approach of the company, and is able to prepare for and resolve client problems successfully at mediation and through other forms of alternative dispute resolution, avoiding often stressful, costly and time-consuming litigation where possible.

Jane also has considerable experience in mental health law and Court of Protection work. In her previous role, she advised both the local NHS Trust responsible for mental health services and care commission groups responsible for care funding. Her background in dealing with professional negligence cases gives her an in-depth knowledge of client needs and how to meet them.

Business Development Director, Rachel Buckley said: “I am pleased to welcome Jane to The Family Law Company. Her abilities add an extra dimension to our specialist services for unmarried couples.

“As this is an ever-growing area of family law, it is a real plus for us to have Jane’s particular expertise available to clients.”

Jane commented that as well as a positive career move, her decision to move back to Exeter was an affirmative lifestyle choice. “Having spent much of my career in the centre of Bristol with secondments in central London, it is a real breath of fresh air to return to Devon; I can now cycle to work, enjoy good schooling opportunities for my family and still have the benefits of the city. It’s the perfect mix.”