Jane Tenquist
With expertise in complex financial and international family law, Jane specialises in high-net-worth cases, trusts and children matters.
Specialisms & Areas of Work
Legal 500
Biography
Jane Tenquist is listed as a Leading Partner in the North West by the Legal 500 Directory. Jane is a Partner and Head of the Family Law Team at Myerson, where she leads a team which competes with larger, City centre firms to great success. Her workload has a particular emphasis on HNW financial remedy cases, including complex business structures, extensive property portfolios and trust structures, and clients with complex needs. Jane has acted for some of the most prominent families in the North West and beyond, and she competes at the forefront of family law with city centre, national and overseas family lawyers.
Jane is also known for advising on, drafting and negotiating nuptial agreements, often where couples own assets in multiple jurisdictions. She has expertise in tracing hidden assets, obtaining orders to freeze assets, and acts in cases where there are trust issues or inherited wealth. Jane has considerable experience in advising in high value international divorces, and has handled many cases involving issues where parties have off shore assets held in the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Australia, France, Germany, Austria, Israel, the UAE, the Channel Islands, Africa, the USA, and Canada.
Jane works closely with Myerson’s nationally recognised Corporate Team (recommended in the Top 200 UK Law Firms by the Times), particularly in relation to shareholder disputes involving separating couples, corporate demergers and liquidations, share transfers and family investment companies.
Myerson’s Family Team also has a formidable reputation for acting in contested Private Children Act proceedings involving finding of fact hearings and/or the appointment of a Guardian, national and internal child relocation cases, and advising families in relation to alternative routes to parenthood following fertility treatment or surrogacy. The Team has built strong links with other support professionals to ensure clients receive the best advice to achieve a positive outcome.
Jane is an active member of Resolution and is an accredited mediator and Collaborative Lawyer. She is known for her constructive, pragmatic advice, her down to earth approach, and her technical excellence. Jane is a firm believer in focusing on the main issues, providing sound advice, and is an excellent communicator.
The Legal 500 Directory and clients have described her as highly intelligent, personable, accessible and someone who you want on your side rather than working against you. She is described by clients as “unbelievably good, extremely knowledgeable and unflappable.” Clients are taken by her warmth and client care, which goes beyond the industry standard.
Client Feedback
Legal 500, 2027
Jane Tenquist is a superb department head. Sarah Whitelegge, Nichola Bright, and Joe Ferguson are strong lawyers with exceptional client care skills.
Mr Scanlon, Manchester
I was introduced to Jane Tenquist who I found to be both very knowledgeable and professional whilst at the same time very easy to relate to. Following our initial conference she gave me the confidence to pursue the case once again. It was therefore extremely gratifying that we managed to conclude matters to my complete satisfaction with a court judgement in my favour. As such I would have no hesitation in recommending Myerson.
Ms Woods
Jane Tenquist was my solicitor at Myerson. Jane was very professional and highly competent. She dealt with some very difficult issues on my behalf and was also supportive to my emotional needs which was important to me. There were times when I also felt she went beyond my expectations to try and achieve a secure future for myself.
Mr R. Hale
This is just a brief thank you for your actions….Whilst your role in the joint discussions was necessarily neutral and independent, the kindness you showed me before, and especially after the session, at a terribly upsetting time is something that I remember and appreciate. …My ex wife was bullying and coercive….. and your even handedness enabled me to stand up to that behaviour.
Mr A
Jane Tenquist provided helpful, professional advice and guidance throughout the children’s divorce proceedings, for which I am grateful.
Mr R
Jane and her team provided a very high level of support, professionalism and thoroughness throughout the 12-month period of my divorce.
Miss H
I found your counsel very helpful when we last spoke and appreciated your caring and professional demeanor.
Mrs A. Salisbury
A very prompt, considerate and professional service.
Mr J. Altrincham
Just a quick message to you and Jane to say thanks for your hard work and also representing me at court which was a tough day. We got a good outcome of a bad situation.
Mr C. Hale
It has been a long journey since my first call to you and it was a difficult time for me. I am now happy not just for the actual financial outcome but for the opportunity that I have now to rebuild my new life. None of this would have been possible without your help and professional support.
Legal 500, 2021
I was extremely lucky to have Jane Tenquist represent me, she is calm and has a quiet demeanour and is incredibly knowledgeable and thorough. She will investigate every avenue and get results. A true professional and very comforting to know you are in safe hands.
Mr B. Liverpool
I have always found Myersons to be ethical, professional and competent over a variety matters ranging from business advice to personal advice.
Legl 500, 2021
Jane Tenquist was fantastic. Her decisive and supportive manner provided clarity and instilled confidence during a turbulent period in my life. Later on, Nichola Bright took up my case and provided an equally high standard of service. Dilligent, helpful and understanding. I have finally obtained a good financial settlement in spite of the respondents non co-operative attitude.
Anonymous
I would like to thank you for all your hard work Jane, it hasn’t been easy for me. I finally got the court outcome both parties agreed to, which was a great relief. Thanks again Jane.
Legal 500, 2017
Jane Tenquist is very ‘pragmatic, experienced, calm, bright and measured’. Jane is through and persistent in seeking to always get the full picture and to know the full extent of financial disclosure so that she can fully assist her clients in the most complex financial cases.
Mr C
Thank you so much – Jane and her team's support, professionalism and thoroughness throughout the last year has been superb.
Mrs G
I can't express in words how much Jane, Nichola and the Myerson team have done for me, 'thank you' seems inadequate. I will always be grateful for your help and support during a very difficult time in my life. Thank you for listening and acting upon my concerns. Naturally, I will not hesitate in recommending Myerson whether it be to family/friends or to former clients.
Mrs. R Northwich
Jane Tenquist remained calm and determined throughout, her professionalism and knowledge of divorce law is beyond reproach. Jane gave me support at a time when I needed it most and from that the strength and confidence to fight for what was rightfully mine. I am very grateful to Jane and would not hesitate in recommending her to anyone who is in need of a Divorce Lawyer.
Irfan
Ms Jane Tenquist is not only a brilliant legal mind but also an incredibly compassionate and understanding individual. She approached my divorce and financial settlement case with a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach, ensuring I received the best possible outcome. Her ability to navigate complex legal matters with ease and clarity was truly impressive.
Mr Ahmad
I want to express my sincere thanks to Jane for her outstanding legal representation and unwavering support throughout my divorce and financial settlement case. Her expertise, diligence, and dedication were instrumental in achieving a favourable outcome.
Legal 500, 2021
I have worked with Jane Tenquist on two difficult matters, in both cases she has shown the steely aggression required to challenge reported accounts and looked beyond the detail and the obvious to find the right and a better settlement for her clients. She demonstrated great foresight in looking beyond the here and now in taking the necessary actions to get to the right solution later on.
Mrs A, Hampshire
All divorces are horrid and you come across letters that have been worded in another language and only Solicitors and Barristers understand. At Myerson they explain all the jargon and are completely professional and caring. I highly recommend this company.
Legal 500, 2021
Jane Tenquist is very capable, calm and level headed. The nature of the work is very emotive and from a client’s perspective it has been really helpful that she is able to show strength on my behalf at times when emotions made it difficult for me to do so on my own. She has given excellent advise and prevented me from making mistakes I may otherwise have made if she did not have my back. She also cares about the clients as people and shows person-to-person concern that you are OK.
Legal 500, 2022
Jane Tenquist and Nichola Bright have forged an excellent practice within a multi-disciplinary firm.
Legal 500, 2021
The team is headed by Jane Tenquist; her ability to listen, knowledge of this area of law, deciphering relevant key information critical to the matter and progression is highly commendable. Jane’s team are equally strong in these skills and together they work excellently. As a client I have felt to be in a very safe set of hands and I say thank you for your hard work.
Anonymous
Thank you for your assistance Jane, I will be using you if I ever need legal representation in the future! You really are a credit to genuine honest people.
Mrs C.
Jane has done an amazing job in handling a complex divorce case with such dedication. I found her to be both approachable and sympathetic during an extremely difficult time. Jane handled my case in a professional manner and I would highly recommend her as a family solicitor. Thank you so much!
Recent Experience
£85M Cross-Border Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements
Acting for a Husband in negotiating and drafting a Pre-Nuptial Agreement where the assets amounted to £85M and were located in England & overseas. Jane then subsequently negotiated a Post Nuptial Agreement and liaised with overseas lawyers regarding Mirror Agreements
£23M Contested Financial Remedy with Urgent Freezing Order
Acting for a Wife in contested financial remedy proceedings where the assets amounted to £23M. The Husband acted as a litigant in person and attempted to transfer the net proceeds of sale of land amounting to several million to his sole bank account in an attempt to frustrate the Wife’s financial remedy claim. Jane was successful in obtaining an urgent freezing order injunction against the Husband. Jane also worked closely with Andrew Chapman in the Commercial Property Team to locate undisclosed property in the Husband’s sole name and was able to secure an advantageous settlement at final hearing for the Wife due to the Husband’s misconduct in failing to provide full and frank disclosure of his assets.
£4M Company Shareholder Dispute Concluding at Final Hearing
Acting for the Husband who was a Company Director and 50% shareholder in a company with his Wife. The assets of the marriage amounted to circa £4M. The COVID pandemic had adversely affected the value of the parties’ company. The case concluded after a three-day final hearing based on the proposals Jane had put forward prior to trial. The Wife had to transfer her interest in the Company to the Husband in return for a substantially reduced maintenance order. The Husband was also able to secure a percentage of the net proceeds of sale of the family home.
High-Value London Property Dispute Securing Clean Break
Acting for a London Banker in relation to contested financial remedy proceedings in the Central Family Court. There was a significant dispute between the parties over three properties in London, one of which was owned in the sole name of the Husband but was occupied by his parents. The Husband’s parents applied to intervene within the proceedings which concluded at FDR hearing. The Husband secured a clean break order upon the basis that he retained the family home and the property occupied by his parents. The Husband also secured an equal shared care arrangement of the children with their mother following child inclusive mediation.
Contested Children Act and Schedule 1 Proceedings for Father
Acting for an unmarried Father in relation to contested Private Children Act proceedings and contested Schedule 1 Children Act proceedings. After the mother initially obstructed the father from seeing the baby, the father was successful in securing an order to spend time with the child at weekends and in the holidays. Jane then negotiated a financial settlement on behalf of the Father which involved funding a property for the child during the child’s minority.
Successful Termination of Spousal Maintenance Order
Acting for a Company Director in relation to a variation application to terminate a spousal maintenance order. Jane was successful in negotiating a termination of payments. The client was extremely happy to achieve this result after previous attempts to resolve matters had failed.
High-Value Trust and Company Case Securing 70% Settlement
Acting for a Wife in relation to contested financial remedy proceedings and contested Children Act proceedings. The Husband was a successful Company Director, shareholder and entrepreneur. He was also a beneficiary under a substantial Family Trust which had supported the parties’ lifestyle during the marriage. The Husband had been able to purchase a large country property with extensive land attached pursuant to a loan advanced by the Trust. Jane was successful in obtaining an order for maintenance pending suit and a legal services provision order pending conclusion of the proceedings. Jane was also successful in arguing that the Husband’s assets owned by the company should be valued ahead of the company valuation. The Wife secured an order that she receive 70% of the net proceeds of sale of the family home together with a generous spousal maintenance order, child maintenance order and school fees order. The Husband also sought an equal shared care order in contested Children Act proceedings. The Wife was able to secure a live with order in her favour and an order which meant the child remained living with her most of the time.
Reported High Court Declaration of Parentage Case
Jane acted for Manchester Fertility Clinic in Cases C,D & E in the reported case of In the Matter of HFEA 2008 (Cases A,B,C,D,E,F,G & H Declaration of Parentage) [2015] EWHC 2602 (Fam) before Sir James Mumby President of the Family Division in the High Court in London. Several applications for declarations of parentage had been made where children had been born following donor insemination but statutory consent requirements had not been complied with as a result of administrative failures by the relevant clinic. Declarations were granted.
Awards & Rankings
Legal 500 — Hall of Fame
2027
Chambers and Partners UK Guide — Band 4 - Family/Matrimonial
2027
Legal 500 — Leading Partner
2026
Legal 500 — Leading Individual
2023
Legal 500 — Leading Individual
2022Memberships
- Member of Resolution
- Accredited Family Mediator
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