Jean's practice focuses primarily on private law children proceedings, including cases involving complex safeguarding concerns, domestic abuse and international family disputes. Her international background and experience working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds enable her to provide practical, culturally sensitive advice tailored to the individual circumstances of each family, particularly where disputes span more than one country, culture or legal system.
Jean is a family law solicitor specialising in children law, domestic abuse and international family disputes. She is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Private Children Law and Domestic Abuse.
Jean advises and represents parents in a wide range of children proceedings, including complex private law disputes, international child abduction cases, relocation applications and care proceedings. She regularly acts in matters involving allegations of domestic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, physical abuse, sexual abuse and other safeguarding concerns affecting children.
Clients often seek Jean's advice at some of the most difficult and emotionally challenging times in their lives. She is known for providing clear, practical and compassionate advice, ensuring that clients understand their options and feel supported throughout the legal process. At the same time, she is a determined advocate who is committed to protecting her clients' interests and achieving the best possible outcome for them. This combination of empathy, professionalism and firm representation is frequently reflected in the feedback she receives from clients.
Jean has particular experience in international children matters, including applications under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. She regularly advises clients in urgent and complex cross-border disputes involving issues of jurisdiction, habitual residence, wrongful removal and retention, rights of custody and international relocation. Her work frequently involves collaboration with specialist counsel, the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU), foreign lawyers and overseas authorities.
In 2026, Jean acted for the successful applicant father in Re FG (A Child: Return Order to Lithuania) [2026] EWHC 1050 (Fam). The case concerned an application under the 1980 Hague Convention and raised complex issues relating to habitual residence, rights of custody, acquiescence and the Article 13(b) defence. Following a two-day final hearing in the High Court, the court ordered the child's return to Lithuania.
Jean also represents parents in care proceedings and other public law children matters. She provides practical and sensitive support to families facing difficult circumstances and guides clients through every stage of the court process.
In private children proceedings, Jean advises on Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders, including cases involving domestic and international relocation. She regularly undertakes advocacy at directions hearings, case management hearings and dispute resolution appointments, and works closely with specialist counsel in complex fact-finding and final hearings.
Jean has significant experience representing survivors of domestic abuse and regularly assists clients in obtaining Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders, including in urgent cases. She frequently acts in matters involving serious allegations of abuse, ongoing safeguarding concerns and parallel criminal proceedings. She understands the courage it can take to seek legal protection and is committed to providing sensitive support alongside strong and effective representation throughout the process.
Jean acts for both legally aided and privately funded clients. She is recognised for her approachable manner, clear communication and commitment to ensuring that clients feel informed and supported throughout their case. Whether acting in urgent protective proceedings, complex children disputes or international family cases, Jean's focus remains on delivering sensible, practical advice and achieving positive outcomes for the individuals and families she represents.
Jean began her legal career in Australia, where she was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2015 and later qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2022. During her studies, she was actively involved in the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, developing a strong commitment to improving access to justice for vulnerable members of the community. She later worked with vulnerable women in family law matters in Australia and subsequently with an international real estate business serving ultra-high-net-worth clients. These experiences provided her with insight into the diverse personal, cultural and financial issues that can arise in family disputes, enabling her to offer practical and sensitive advice tailored to each client's circumstances.
Jean is a native Korean speaker and has lived and worked in Australia, Korea and the United Kingdom. Her multicultural background and international experience provide her with a deeper understanding of the cultural and practical challenges that can arise in cross-border family disputes. This perspective is particularly valuable in her international children practice, where different cultural perspectives and legal systems often form an important part of a family's circumstances.
