Pump Court Chambers

Jennifer Lee

Call: 2007

Jennifer Lee
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  • LLB (Hons), University College London
  • LLM (International Human Rights Law), London School of Economics
  • BVC, BPP Law School
  • Cholmeley Studentship (2008)
  • Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lincoln’s Inn (2006)
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Resolution (Associate)
  • CIArb (Associate)
  • International Bar Association
  • LAWASIA
  • Denning Society, Lincoln’s Inn
  • Member of the Young Leader’s Group, Asia House
  • Citizens’ Advice Legal Adviser (Debt/Money & Family Law)
  • Fee-Paid Judge, First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber)
  • Accredited Pupil Supervisor

Instructing Jennifer Lee

Would you like to know more?

If you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.

Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.

Jennifer Lee is a specialist family law practitioner, with a thriving practice in the area of family finance. She has successfully represented high net worth clients in cases involving family businesses, inherited wealth, substantial pensions, nuptial agreements, and trusts. Some of her cases involve tax complications, and many have an international element, involving foreign assets and cross-jurisdictional issues, such as the validity or otherwise of an overseas marriage/divorce, or claims in multiple jurisdictions (including Asia and Africa).

Jennifer has appeared in a number of high-profile reported financial remedy/ divorce cases, most notably in Veluppillai v Veluppillai & Ors [2015] EWHC 3095 (Fam) (High Court), LFL v LSL (McKenzie Friends & Breach of Court Orders) [2017] EWFC B62, and in N v N (Afghanistan: Validity of an overseas marriage: Procedure)[2020] EWFC B55. 

Jennifer has retained a niche practice in modern families and surrogacy. She acted in R v T [2022] EWHC 3362 (Fam), a high-profile High Court jurisdiction hearing involving children of a same-sex family in the UAE, where she acted alone and was then led by King’s Counsel. The case was recently heard in the Court of Appeal (Re S (Children)(2023), judgment awaited). She also leads the Court of Protection team and has an interest in capacity matters, particularly where they overlap with divorce/ financial remedies. She appeared for the successful applicant in DB v DW [2015] EWCOP 16 (competing P&A deputyship applications).

Jennifer has a judicial role and sits as Fee-paid Judge of the Tax Chamber (FTT). She continues to be top-ranked as a “Leading Junior (Tier 1)- Family and Children Law” in The Legal 500, and as a specialist in “family/matrimonial law” in Chambers & Partners (UK Bar). She has been highly commended for her attention to detail and her robust approach, both in negotiations and during hearings. She regularly appears as counsel in arbitrations and private FDRs, and sits as a private FDR judge.

Jennifer is a member of the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA), LAWASIA, and Resolution. She sits on Resolution’s ED&I Committee. Jennifer is also an active member of Chambers, and sits on family team committees and on the Pupillage & Tenancy Committee (portfolio for pupillages). She regularly presents seminars and publishes articles on topical family law matters, including in the Family Law Journal, ThoughtLeaders4, and Class Legal/ Financial Remedies Journal.

Directory Testimonials

“Jennifer Lee is always meticulously prepared.” Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2023/24)

“Good with both clients and judges, and someone who instinctively knows the strengths and weaknesses of a case and how to maximise the prospects of success.” Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2023/24)

“Jennifer is a complete powerhouse. She is extremely knowledgeable and utterly committed to the Bar, excelling year-on-year. She takes a robust approach on cases, her paperwork is exceptional, and she is always up-to-date with legal trends.” The Legal 500, Leading Juniors: Divorce and Financial Remedy (Ranked: Tier 1)(2023/24)

“Jennifer is a very dynamic operator, and a fierce and outstanding advocate. In court she is robust and will fight to the bitter end for her clients. Nothing fazes her.” The Legal 500, Leading Juniors: Divorce and Financial Remedy (Ranked: Tier 1)(2022/23)

“She inspires confidence and respect in clients and always strives to get the best possible result.” Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2022/23)

“Jennifer has high attention to detail and is meticulous and methodical.” Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2022/23)

“She balances professionalism with being warm and personable.” Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2022/23)

“An absolute class act. She can grapple with complex matrimonial finance work in a heartbeat. She is a confident and calm practitioner with gravitas, technical ability and professionalism far beyond her year of call.“- The Legal 500, Leading Juniors: Divorce and Financial Remedy (Ranked: Tier 1)(2021/22)

“Jennifer is everything you would want in counsel. She has exceptional attention to detail coupled with a firm but fair approach to the opposition.” “Jennifer leaves no stone unturned. She will review matters early and often ask to speak to discuss additional points that she would like to be addressed.” – Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2021/22)

“Jennifer is superb! She works harder than anyone I know. Her preparation is always thorough and articulated superbly. She is able to put clients at ease as well as deliver frank advice. Jennifer will fight to the bitter end for her clients!” – The Legal 500, Leading Juniors: Divorce and Financial Remedy (Ranked: Tier 1) (2020/21).

“She is always very well prepared. She is a very good negotiator and has a very good manner.” “Her attention to detail is second to none. She is also a very persistent advocate and pursues points until she gets her way” – Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2020/21)

“Remains calm and collected in the most pressurised of situations and thinks very quickly on her feet.” – The Legal 500, Leading Juniors: Divorce and Financial Remedy (Ranked: Tier 1) (2019/20).

“Her attention to detail is second to none. In a particularly complex case, she was able to grasp both the key details and the minutiae with ease and her intricate knowledge of the matter really impressed the client.” -Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2019/20)

“She has an incredibly sharp and fast brain, and secured a fantastic outcome that I don’t think would have been achieved without her on the team.” – Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2019/20)

“She is the type of barrister solicitors dream of being able to instruct.” The Legal 500, Leading Juniors: Divorce and Financial Remedy (2018/19)

“Professional, sharp and has fantastic attention to detail.” Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2018/19)

“Very thorough and a good advocate, whom clients really like.” Chambers & Partners UK Bar, Family/Matrimonial (2018/19)

“A very talented junior – feisty with an eagle eye for detail.” The Legal 500, Leading Juniors: Divorce and Financial Remedy (2017/18)

Client Testimonials

“We could not fault Jennifer Lee. Her preparation and presentation in Court were excellent. She covered the facts of the case simply yet effectively…it was impressive to see her in action.”

“Exhibits impressive attention to detail….knows when to hold back and when to press the point home” and “Extremely in-depth preparation for cases” and “is bullish and not afraid to fight her client’s corner.”

“Consistently delivers good results, even in difficult cases involving complex facts and law.” She “takes a principled approach” and is “personable, well-liked by lay and professional clients.”

“Impressive on her feet, she was very assertive and packed a punch at the hearing.”

Legal Services

Jennifer Lee is a specialist family law practitioner, with a thriving practice in the area of family finance. She has successfully represented high net worth clients in cases involving family businesses, inherited wealth, substantial pensions, nuptial agreements, and trusts. Some of her cases involve tax complications, and many have an international element, involving foreign assets and cross-jurisdictional issues, such as the validity or otherwise of an overseas marriage/divorce, or claims in multiple jurisdictions (including Asia and Africa).

Jennifer has appeared in a number of high-profile reported financial remedy/ divorce cases, most notably in Veluppillai v Veluppillai & Ors [2015] EWHC 3095 (Fam) (High Court), LFL v LSL (McKenzie Friends & Breach of Court Orders) [2017] EWFC B62, and in N v N (Afghanistan: Validity of an overseas marriage: Procedure) [2020] EWFC B55. 

Jennifer is frequently instructed to act alone in complex cases against counsel many years her call, as well as against King’s Counsel (KC)/ silks. She has also been instructed as leading junior in a number of cases, where she has been led by KCs.

Jennifer has a judicial role and sits as Fee-paid Judge of the Tax Chamber (FTT). She continues to be top-ranked as a “Leading Junior (Tier 1)- Family and Children Law” in The Legal 500, and as a specialist in “family/matrimonial law” in Chambers & Partners (UK Bar). She has been highly commended for her attention to detail and her robust approach, both in negotiations and during hearings. She regularly appears as counsel in arbitrations and private FDRs, and sits as a private FDR judge.

Jennifer is a member of the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA), LAWASIA, and Resolution. She sits on Resolution’s ED&I Committee. Jennifer is also an active member of Chambers, and sits on family team committees and on the Pupillage & Tenancy Committee (portfolio for pupillages). She is frequently invited to speak on topical family law matters, and to contribute articles to various publications, including the Family Law Journal, ThoughtLeaders4, and Class Legal/ Financial Remedies Journal.

Selected Cases

N v N (Afghanistan: Validity of an overseas marriage: Procedure)[2020] EWFC B55

Successfully represented the petitioner in an important Judgment on the validity of an overseas marriage, and compliance with the significant procedural rules which apply if one wishes to defend a divorce. The parties disagreed over whether a marriage ceremony (held by proxy) had taken place, and whether it should be recognised as a valid marriage in this jurisdiction. The respondent had failed to comply with the significant family procedure rules in seeking to defend the divorce, and had breached court orders. The Court granted the petitioner’s application for decree nisi and awarded her costs.

O v S (2019/2020)

Successfully represented the wife in a £6.5M case involving inherited wealth and complex asset structures. The husband, highly obstructive, owned numerous companies which held luxury cars, boats and aircraft. There were issues concerning the true extent of the husband’s income, his manipulation of the companies’ assets, and his gross breach of court orders. In a damning Judgment, the Court found that the husband had failed to disclose extensive income/assets, awarding generous provision to the wife.

B v B (2019)

Successfully represented the respondent in a c£2M case involving a separation agreement, which was deemed to have been unfair due to material non-disclosure. Shortly before the consent order was lodged, the respondent discovered that the applicant had “omitted” to disclose his extensive business and property portfolio, pensions, and income from additional sources. The Court refused to uphold the agreement, which had been tainted by this serious non-disclosure.

O v O (2018)

Successfully represented the wife in a highly acrimonious family finance case, where the husband had failed to provide full and frank disclosure, and had been highly abusive/threatening to the wife and her solicitors. The parties were both well-regarded professionals; the husband was the CEO of an international company and historically earned six figure sums.

O v M (2018)

Successfully represented the respondent in contested divorce proceedings involving the validity or otherwise of an overseas marriage and divorce. Two experts, involving a silk, were instructed. The petition was successfully struck out, with costs awarded to the respondent.

I v I (2017/18)

Successfully represented the husband in an unusual case with assets of at least £1.5M, including an extensive home with 25 acres of land, and a family agricultural business. The husband also owned valuable eventing horses, one of which may be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. The marriage was short, but extremely volatile. The wife was abusive to the husband, causing him to suffer severe mental health difficulties. She also spent excessively and incurred significant debts post separation.

LFL v LSL (McKenzie Friends & Breach of Court Orders) [2017] EWFC B62

Reported Judgment – successfully represented the wife in financial remedy proceedings involving an obstructive McKenzie Friend, where the main assets were situated abroad.

H v H (2017)

Successfully represented the husband in a case where the wife came from a fabulously wealthy family. Her father was the heir to a banking fortune and had been incredibly generous to her, gifting her property and significant sums of money. He had also funded luxurious holidays for the family. In assessing the husband’s award, the Court rejected the wife’s assertions that she had limited funds and that her family’s vast wealth should be ignored.

Veluppillai v Veluppillai & Ors [2015] EWHC 3095 (Fam)

Reported Judgment – successfully represented the wife in protracted and highly acrimonious financial remedy proceedings worth £1.4M, in which the husband’s abysmal conduct was strongly criticised by the High Court.

B v B - IFLA Arbitration (2014)

Successfully represented the husband in a complex, two-day matrimonial finance arbitration conducted under the IFLA Scheme. The parties were French and Korean, and owned properties in the UK and in foreign jurisdictions.

S v S (2014)

Achieved an excellent result for a client in financial remedy proceedings, which involved substantial pensions, and issues of lack of disclosure of assets in the UK and abroad. A costs order was made against the other party.

Jennifer has retained a niche practice in complex private law children work, with an emphasis on modern families and surrogacy. For many years, she has been advising and representing clients in Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act cases, and has acted in the High Court on parental order (surrogacy) cases.

Jennifer is also often instructed to undertake high-conflict and relocation cases, particularly where there have been, or there are, parallel financial remedy proceedings. She has experience of cases involving serious domestic abuse and parental alienation.

Jennifer acted in R v T [2022] EWHC 3362 (Fam), a high-profile High Court jurisdiction hearing involving children of a same-sex family in the UAE, where she acted alone and was then led by King’s Counsel. The case was recently heard in the Court of Appeal (Re S (Children)(2023), judgment awaited).

Jennifer has a judicial role and sits as Fee-paid Judge of the Tax Chamber (FTT). She continues to be top-ranked as a “Leading Junior (Tier 1)- Family and Children Law” in The Legal 500, and as a specialist in “family/matrimonial law” in Chambers & Partners (UK Bar). She has been highly commended for her attention to detail and her robust approach, both in negotiations and during hearings. She was also nominated as “Junior Barrister of the Year” for the Jordans’ Family Law Awards 2016.

Jennifer is a member of the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA), LAWASIA, and Resolution. She sits on Resolution’s ED&I Committee. Jennifer is also an active member of Chambers, and sits on family team committees and on the Pupillage & Tenancy Committee (portfolio for pupillages). She regularly presents seminars and publishes articles on topical family law matters, including in the Family Law Journal, ThoughtLeaders4, and Class Legal/ Financial Remedies Journal.

Selected Cases

R v T [2022] EWHC 3362 (Fam)

Jennifer Lee, led by Will Tyler KC, acted for the applicant (Ms R) in this highly complex and extraordinary case, which raises important jurisdictional and human rights issues.

The key question was whether the English Court had jurisdiction to consider applications by Ms R in respect of her children, conceived via assisted reproduction with her female ex-partner (Ms T), in circumstances where no other court in the world was and is able to determine questions about the children’s welfare.

The parties and the children are British. When the parties separated, Ms T relocated with the children to the UAE, where same-sex relationships are criminalised and where same-sex parenting is not recognised. The children’s contact with Ms R has completely broken down.

The High Court determined that it had no jurisdiction, despite accepting that no application could be made in the UAE and there was no other forum in the world available to investigate or determine the children’s welfare.

The Court of Appeal has granted permission to appeal. The Court of Appeal hearing took place in May 2023 and judgment is awaited (Re S: Children (2023))

RBW & M v T & T [2015] EWFC B191

Represented a party in a complex, non-accidental head injury case, where a young child sustained a skull fracture.

H & H v A (2014)

Successfully represented commissioning parents in an international surrogacy case, in respect of their application for a parental order for their child, who had been conceived via IVF and carried by a surrogate who lived in Europe.

B&W v A (2013)

Provided advice to commissioning parents in respect of their proposed surrogacy arrangement with an IVF clinic and surrogate in India.

BCC v S & R (2012)

Represented the Father in contested care proceedings, successfully argued that the child should remain with his birth family.

B v R & B (2012)

Successfully represented the Mother in a complex contact dispute, where the Father was serving a lengthy custodial sentence for GBH against the Mother’s long-term partner.

H v C (2011)

Represented Mother in family proceedings where child reluctant to have contact with Father, who was epileptic and had severe mental health issues.

C v C (2011)

Represented Mother in wardship proceedings involving children who had been removed from the jurisdiction.

Jennifer has an interest in the Court of Protection and capacity matters, particularly where they overlap with related divorce/ financial remedies proceedings. She has appeared in COP cases involving applications for orders concerning property and affairs, including those where divorce proceedings are afoot. She has been instructed to advise/represent clients in cases where one spouse/partner has lost capacity in related family proceedings. Jennifer has also acted in difficult cases concerning personal welfare and deprivation of liberty, and in urgent cases involving medical treatment.

Jennifer acted for the successful applicant in DB v DW [2015] EWCOP 16, which involved competing applications for deputyship for property and affairs. Jennifer leads the Court of Protection Team in Chambers.

Selected Cases

DB v DW [2015] EWCOP 16

Represented the successful applicant in a case involving two competing applications for deputyship for property and affairs. The case also considered the rules regarding case reporting and the anonymity.

Re H (2014)

Represented the successful applicant in the Court of Protection, where orders were made for his appointment as deputy for personal welfare and property in highly emotive circumstances where P was suffering very serious ill health and required urgent medical treatment.

Jennifer is a specialist family finance practitioner. She is regularly instructed in high-value, complex cases concerning family businesses, inherited wealth, significant pensions, nuptial agreements, and trusts. She has particular experience of cases involving foreign assets, tax complications, and cross-jurisdictional issues, such as the validity or otherwise of an overseas marriage/divorce, and competing claims in multiple jurisdictions.

Jennifer has appeared in a number of high-profile reported financial remedy/ divorce cases, most notably in Veluppillai v Veluppillai & Ors [2015] EWHC 3095 (Fam) (High Court), LFL v LSL (McKenzie Friends & Breach of Court Orders) [2017] EWFC B62, and more recently, in N v N (Afghanistan: Validity of an overseas marriage: Procedure)[2020] EWFC B55.

Jennifer has a judicial role and sits a Fee-Paid Judge of the Tax Chamber (First-tier Tribunal). She continues to be top-ranked as a “Leading Junior (Tier 1)- Family and Children Law” in The Legal 500, and is recognised as a specialist in family/matrimonial law in Chambers & Partners (UK Bar). She has been highly commended for “her meticulous attention to detail” and her “sharp and fast brain“, and is frequently invited to speak at seminars and to contribute articles on topical family law matters.

Jennifer has represented clients in arbitration, mediation, and private FDRs for a number of years. She also sits as a private FDR judge, and is able to draw upon her in-depth knowledge of family finance and sitting as a fee-paid judge to assist clients in reaching a fair resolution. She is principled and measured, detailed and meticulous, and able to take a robust approach where required.

  • “Modern Parenting – Legal Implications of Donor Insemination”, (First Published in ThoughtLeaders4 HNW Divorce Magazine – Issue 3, August 2020 with Sarah Williams, Head of Surrogacy, Adoption, Fertility & Modern Family at Payne Hicks Beach
  • “LFL v LSL: Guidance & Practical Tips on how to work with McKenzie Friends”, The Review (Resolution), February 2018
  • “The Supreme Court Case of Marley v Rawlings: A Mix-Up in Wills”, LawSkills, Feb. 2014
  • “Gifts Made in Contemplation of Death: Donatio Mortis Causa & Vallee v Birchwood [2013] EWHC 1449 (Ch)”, LawSkills, 14th June 2013
  • “Parenthood & Donor Insemination: Contact Rights in Light of Re G (A Child) [2013]
  • “The Recoverabiliy of Counsel’s Fees for Infant Approval Hearings”, PI Brief Update Law Journal (March 2011).
  • “Withdrawal of Pre-Action Admissions: Woodland v Stopford & Ors [2011] EWCA Civ 266”, PI Brief Update Law Journal (July 2011).
  • “Much Obliged: The Level of Obligation Owed by Employers to Former Employees”, New Law Journal, September 2011 (Vol. 161, Issue 7480).
  • Co-editor, along with Stephen Jones, of the Pump Court Chambers Property Law Newsletter.
  • “A Changing Landscape?”, New Law Journal (Volume 160, Issue 7422), employment law article on the issue of damages in wrongful dismissal claims, co-written with Spencer Keen.
  • ‘Human Dignity & Inviolability: The Absolute Prohibition of Torture’, [2005] 12 U.C.L. Jurisprudence Review, 80.
  • ‘The UCL Jurisprudence Review Launch’, The Weekly Law Review Newsletter (Summer 2007), 2.
  • ‘Employment Law in a Nutshell: Wrongful Dismissals’, The Weekly Law Review Newsletter (Summer 2008), 20.
  • UCL Jurisprudence Review, 13th Volume (co-editor) (UCL Press, 2007).
  • LLB (Hons), University College London
  • LLM (International Human Rights Law), London School of Economics
  • BVC, BPP Law School
  • Cholmeley Studentship (2008)
  • Hardwicke Entrance Award, Lincoln’s Inn (2006)
  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Resolution (Associate)
  • CIArb (Associate)
  • International Bar Association
  • LAWASIA
  • Denning Society, Lincoln’s Inn
  • Member of the Young Leader’s Group, Asia House
  • Citizens’ Advice Legal Adviser (Debt/Money & Family Law)
  • Fee-Paid Judge, First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber)
  • Accredited Pupil Supervisor

Instructing Jennifer Lee

Would you like to know more?

If you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.

Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.

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