Deborah Jeff

Spear’s Review

Simkins partner Deborah Jeff’s career has been characterised by major family law cases, including working ‘with two trust funds in the Isle of Man worth £13 million, and on a well-known singer/songwriter’s prenup’.

Noted for the law-changing case of SS v NS [2014], which shone a light on the needs-based assessment of maintenance payments to spouses, Jeff specialises in complex financial disputes between divorcing and cohabiting couples, often with offshore elements and intricate taxation issues. She has advised a wealthy Austrian property developer on a postnuptial agreement to protect £340 million in wealth, for example, as well as on a prenuptial agreement where there were inherited assets of approximately £1 billion.

She also has considerable experience with issues relating to children, and can offer support and insight around how divorce can affect the mental health of clients.

Adviser Profile

Deborah’s work has increasingly been for clients in the music and entertainment industry, particularly singer songwriters seeking to ringfence their publishing rights and back catalogues before marrying.

Her high- and ultra-high-net-worth practice has grown exponentially, most recently with client interests between the UK, France, US, Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg. That growth saw Deborah protecting a client’s assets of £340 million by way of a post-nuptial agreement.

Respected by accountants and mental health professionals who entrust her with their most complex client needs, clients warm to her down-to-earth manner, respecting her attention to detail and ability to strategise a case from the outset.