Jody is a very brainy and a bright character. He is hugely intelligent and good at difficult problems. He is calm and authoritative. He holds the court’s attention with his sensible approach and is equally good with clients.”

Chambers UK 2024, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Jody specialises in family financial work including wills and trusts. He is able to bring his wide experience in these areas to resolving the most complex and challenging disputes.

Jody’s divorce and financial remedy practice focuses on the most high-value and intractable cases. Jody is often instructed by solicitors when divorces involve complicating factors such as:

  • Family businesses
  • Family trusts
  • Overseas elements
  • Disputes concerning third party ownership of property (such as by parents or siblings)

Jody is also a popular choice for disputes between unmarried parties, which are generally resolved by a combination of the law of trusts, and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

Jody is a national level expert on the Child Support Act 1991. He acts for both mothers and fathers and can make sense of and effectively challenge the decisions of the CMS. Unlike most family lawyers, he regularly appears in the First Tier Tribunal, and has had several successful appeals in the Upper Tribunal. He accepts public access instructions in suitable child support cases.

Jody’s chancery practice focuses exclusively on wills and trusts. He is a full member of STEP, having passed all of the exams in one sitting. Jody is particularly sought after for Inheritance Act disputes, due to his rare crossover knowledge of both probate and divorce law. He also frequently acts in:

  • Proprietary estoppel and constructive trust cases, particularly those involving disputes between family members; he has been to the Court of Appeal on this issue
  • Disputes concerning the validity of a will
  • Disputes concerning the administration of an estate or trust
  • Undue influence claims

Jody is a fully trained mediator – see mediation CV for further details.

Cases

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Resources

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Directory Quotes

His case preparation is superb, as is his technical expertise.’

The Legal 500 2024, Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy

Jody practises across the whole spectrum of private family matters, often advising on ancillary relief disputes involving family trusts and overseas companies, as well as bankruptcy and insolvency issues. ‘Jody is incredibly adept at identifying the key issues in complex matrimonial matters.’ ‘He demonstrates very good knowledge on CMS issues.’ Jody is able to cut through the peripheral issues to get to the heart of the matter and put this to the client in a way in which they understand.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Family: Matrimonial Finance

Jody is a hugely intelligent junior whose advocacy is compelling.”

Legal 500 2023, Divorce & Financial Remedy

Jody is stellar in advising clients on the complexities of child maintenance matters.”

Legal 500 2022, Divorce and Financial Remedy

He is very good and to the point.”

CHAMBERS UK 2022, Family/Matrimonial

He delivers results and is liked by clients for his mix of great intelligence and humour.”

CHAMBERS UK 2021, FAMILY: MATRIMONIAL FINANCE

Wonderful – supportive and calm and capable and very bright. Always goes the extra mile with the client but will tell them when to stop.”

Legal 500 2021, Family & Children Law

Seminars & Events

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  • Qualifications & awards:

    • 2011 STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates
    • 2005 BVC & CPE, Inns of Court School of Law
    • 2002 MA in Modern History, Distinction, University of York
    • 2001 BA (Hons.) in History, First Class, Bristol University.
      2004 Inner Temple Major Scholar (BVC)
    • 2003 Inner Temple Major Scholar (CPE)
    • 2001 George Hare Leonard Prize from Bristol University for best degree in year

  • Professional memberships:

    • Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP, Full Member)
    • Chancery Bar Association
    • Family Law Bar Association
    • Western Circuit

  • Jody Atkinson is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please read here.