Deborah is the founder and head of our Divorce and Family department. She advises on all aspects of family law with particular emphasis on asset protection for wealthy individuals, often with international financial interests.
Deborah's work includes preparation of pre-nuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements and the resolution of complex financial issues within divorce. She also advises on relationship breakdown outside of marriage or civil partnership and has extensive experience of children law matters, including international relocation.
She acts for clients from a variety of sectors including public figures and musicians. Deborah is particularly known for her understanding of the psychological impact of relationship breakdown and is respected by mental health practitioners.
Deborah’s breadth of work involves close liaison with other specialist practice areas at Simkins including the corporate, litigation, property and private client teams.
Deborah is a trained collaborative lawyer and has for several years been highly ranked in the legal directories (including Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Spear’s) in which she has been described in recent years as ‘utterly committed to her clients and has a steely and calm approach’ and ‘…a tough negotiator, who you’d want on your side‘. Spear’s have ranked Deborah as ‘Outstanding in the Field’ of family law and a ‘Top Recommended Family Lawyer’.
Career highlights:
Acted for the husband in the reported case of OS v DS [2004] which set a precedent for the use of an oral disclosure hearing for preliminary discovery in financial remedy proceedings within divorce.
Acted for the wife in the reported case of SS v NS (Spousal Maintenance) [2014] which established the key principles now applied in determining an application for spousal maintenance.
Simkins have an excellent media practice constantly evolving with the changes in our industry.
They demonstrate commercial and industry knowledge while being a fast and effective team.
Every lawyer I have worked with has been friendly, approachable and willing to listen.
...empathetic, non-judgemental and focused on achieving the best possible outcome
...an effective litigator who clearly offers her clients great support and top-end service
…very supportive while getting on with the job in a very efficient way and handling tricky situations
...utterly committed to her clients and has a steely and calm approach
Deborah Jeff is excellent – she is clear in her advice (even when what she is saying is difficult for her client to hear) and always aims for the best, most realistic outcome. She’s also a tough negotiator who you’d want on your side.
“Outstanding in Field” for 2018 and 2019.
“Top Recommended Family Lawyer” for 2020 and 2021.
Recognised as a "leading individual" for the first time in 2015.
