Words: Lauren Glynn
When I was 10 years old, a favourite family member teased that I would make a great lawyer, as I was always so fond of arguing. While it was said in jest, those words stuck with me. Aside from a very brief wobble during the early days of my law degree at Durham University, I stayed the course. I was called to the English Bar in 2008 and sworn in as a Jersey Advocate in October 2011.
In the beginning, my legal practice was fairly broad—covering everything from criminal cases to civil litigation and family work. Over time, I found myself drawn more and more to family law and decided to specialise in the field.
There is certainly a fair amount of “arguing” involved in family law—though I’d like to think I’ve refined my childhood style since then! That said, being a good family lawyer requires far more than just the ability to debate. We work with people during some of the most emotionally challenging periods of their lives, and our role goes beyond legal advice. Providing calm, realistic guidance while supporting clients in emotional turmoil—especially when the legal advice isn’t what they want to hear—is one of the most difficult but vital aspects of our work.
At Carey Olsen, our family law team handles the full spectrum of family matters. This includes contentious issues such as divorce, financial remedies, child arrangements and maintenance, relocation, and abduction. We also manage non-contentious matters such as prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. Wherever possible, we promote non-court dispute resolution (NCDR), as we are acutely aware of the emotional toll lengthy and acrimonious proceedings can have on all family members.
We are fortunate in Jersey to have a highly functional Family Court. Unlike the situation in England, we are not burdened by prolonged delays. The court also offers an excellent free mediation service—Family Foundation—which has proved to be extremely effective. In addition, our Family Judges are open to providing other forms of NCDR, again free of charge for those already in proceedings.
Most family lawyers in Jersey are members of the Jersey Family Law Association (JFLA), an organisation committed to improving the practice of family law on the island. I’ve served as Treasurer in the past and for the last three years, I’ve had the privilege of chairing the association. The JFLA supports practitioners through ongoing training and legal updates, provides a platform for discussing systemic issues, and plays an active role in shaping legislative reform.
One of the most significant reforms currently in motion is the long-anticipated modernisation of Jersey’s divorce laws. We are advocating for the introduction of no-fault divorce and joint divorce applications—developments that will allow separating couples to avoid unnecessary conflict. We also hope to see future changes such as the introduction of pension sharing orders and enhanced enforcement powers for Family Judges, both of which are essential for achieving fair and effective outcomes.
In my role as Chair of the JFLA, I also sit on the newly formed Jersey Family Justice Council (JFJC). This multi-disciplinary body aims to improve the operation of the family justice system, ensuring it delivers the best outcomes for children and a more positive experience for families. The council’s work is already well underway, and I’m excited to be part of its efforts to implement meaningful change for families navigating the legal system.
