Our People

• University College Dublin (BCL)

• International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Family Lawyers' Association
• Dublin Practice Group of Collaborative Practitioners
• International Association of Collaborative Practitioners
• Dublin Solicitors Bar Association
• Resolution

Jennifer is a partner in Mason Hayes & Curran and head of Family Law Department. She is a specialist family lawyer with considerable experience in separation, divorce & non-marital matters with an emphasis on cases concerning business, trusts, investments, farming and other assets. She also advises on matters pertaining to Civil Partnership & Cohabitation. Jennifer has acted in a number of leading cases before the Courts and is adept at negotiation of complex agreements, avoiding litigation where possible. She is also a practising Collaborative Lawyer and a Resolution trained Mediator (all issues), where the aim is negotiation of a reasonable settlement, minimising conflict and assisting families in creation of positive post-separation parenting. Jennifer is an experienced international family lawyer handling cases concerning recognition of foreign divorce, child abduction & enforcement of orders throughout the member states. She also handles Child Law matters.

Jennifer lectures frequently to members of the profession. She is former chair of the Family Law & Minors Committee, Dublin Solicitors Bar Association, a member of the Family Lawyers’ Association, a member of the Association of Collaborative Practitioners and an Associate member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association of England and Wales). Jennifer is a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is current chair of the Education Committee for the IAML Singapore Meeting, 5th/9th September. Jennifer is a member of the Arbitration and Mediation Committee of the Law Society of Ireland.

Areas of Expertise:

• Family Law
• Judicial Separation & Divorce - Court applications
• Civil Partnership & Cohabitation
• Nullity
• Collaborative Law & Mediation - Non-court approach
• Ancillary relief - property transfer orders, maintenance, lump sum
• Life insurance & pension adjustment orders
• Non-marital cases - division of assets & other issues arising
• Child Law - Guardianship, custody & access matters
• Adoption
• Recognition of foreign divorces
• International child abduction - Hague Convention & Brussels IIa

Representative Matters:

• Advising client on International Family Law Matter concerning recognition of Orders of a non-EU State; Successful handling of preliminary issue before the High Court with regard to jurisdiction; advice on complex matters concerning custody/access, habitual residence, jurisdiction, enforcement, application for financial relief on foot of foreign decree of divorce; advice with regard to procurement of section 47 report from a Guardian ad Litem; consideration of matters of EU Law & possible reference to ECJ; Negotiation of comprehensive settlement of High Court proceedings.
• Advising in relation to application for Re-location to another EU member state, for employment purposes, in context of separation.
• Advising private clients with regard to Separation, Divorce & Nullity. Instructing lawyers in foreign jurisdictions where relevant.
• Advising and making appropriate applications to Court for purpose of obtaining Pension Adjustment Orders, post-divorce or in the context of divorce proceedings.
• Advising private clients with regard to considerations arising for the family business/assets in the context of separation and divorce;
• Advising corporate clients on concerns arising where a key person is involved in matrimonial proceedings.