‘Jacqueline is a phenomenal and extraordinary barrister. She is hugely supportive of clients and strives to achieve the best outcomes for them. She has excellent judgement, and invariably her call on the case is where it lands.’
Legal 500, 2024
Top Tier

Experience

Year of Call: 2007

Education

Private International Law Course, The Hague Academy of International Law, Den Haag 2007
Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law, 2007
Diploma in Law, City University, 2006
BA (Hons) Theology and Politics, University of Bristol, 2005
Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2006
Queen Mother Scholarship, Middle Temple, 2005

Profile

Jacqueline is a leading junior who specialises in the field of international children law.

For many years, she has been ranked in Band 1 in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500. She is also ranked in The Spear’s 500 Directory. She has been shortlisted for a number of awards over the years, including ‘Family Law Junior of the Year’ at the Chambers UK Bar Awards and Jordans Family Law Awards .

Jacqueline has appeared in a significant number of the most important decisions in this jurisdiction (and abroad) relating to the development of international children law. To date, she has appeared in 74 reported cases. Her cases often involve complex and novel points of law. Jacqueline’s practice encompasses international child abduction (Hague and non-Hague), relocation, the recognition and enforcement of foreign orders, jurisdictional disputes, relocation, forced marriage and international contact disputes. Running alongside her international practice, she also has a substantial practice in complex private children law disputes.

Jacqueline appears regularly in the High Court. She also has a substantial appellate practice, having, to date, appeared in 16 appeals to the Court of Appeal and 6 appeals to the UK Supreme Court.

In addition to her domestic practice, Jacqueline has appeared before the Court of Justice of the European Union in UD v XB [2019] C-393/18 (PPU), where she made oral submissions to the court. She has also filed an amicus curiae brief in the first ever Hague Convention 1980 case to be heard in the United States Supreme Court: Abbott v Abbott [2009] (judgment in USSC 17th May 2010), as well as a further Hague Convention 1980 case before the United States Supreme Court: Chafin v Chafin (Case no. 11-1347).

Jacqueline is often against KCs. She has also had a number of leading briefs, both in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Jacqueline is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a member of the International Family Justice Committee and the FLBA international sub-committee. She is the lead editor of the international section of ‘Rayden and Jackson’. Jacqueline lectures in this jurisdiction and abroad, and has given expert evidence on three occasions in the House of Lords as to the impact of Brexit on European family law.

A full list of Jacqueline’s reported cases can be accessed via the link at the top of the page.


Jacqueline often appears against more senior Barristers, including QCs. More recently, Jacqueline has started to accept leading briefs – she has had three leading briefs in the Court of Appeal (in relation to important legal issues in the field of international children law) and one leading brief in relation to a complex High Court wardship case.

Jacqueline’s lectures in this jurisdiction and abroad, and has given expert evidence on three occasions in the House of Lords as to the impact of Brexit on European family law. She is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, a member of the International Family Justice Committee and the FLBA international sub-committee. She is also an editor of Rayden & Jackson (the international children law section), and writes the ‘International Children Law Update’ for Family Law Week.

To date, Jacqueline has appeared in over 50 reported cases in this jurisdiction:

W v W [2010] 1 FLR 1342
Re H and L [2010] 1 FLR 1229
MA v DB [2011] 1 FLR 724
EF v MGS [2011] EWCH 3139 (Fam)
SJ & Anor v JJ & Anor [2011] EWHC 3450 (Fam)
Z (A Child) [2012] EWHC 139 (Fam)
A v T [2011] EWHC 3882 (Fam)
SJ v JJ [2012] EWHC 931 (Fam)
R v A [2013] EWHC 692 (Fam)
Re F (Relocation) [2012] EWCA Civ 1364
The matter of A (Children) (AP) [2013] UKSC 60
C v D [2013] EWHC 2989
ET v TZ [2013] EWHC 2621 (Fam)
Re F (Abduction: Consent) [2014] EWHC 484 (Fam)
Re N (A Minor) [2014] EWHC 749 (Fam)
Re LC (Reunite: International Child Abduction Centre Intervening) [2014]  UKSC 1
Re LC (Habitual Residence: Grave Risk of Harm) [2015] 1 FLR 1019
LC v RRL & Others [2014] EWFC 8
Re R (A Child: Habitual Residence) (2014) [2014] EWCA Civ 1032
MD v AA & Another [2014] EWHC 2756 (Fam)
Re MM (A Child: Relocation) [2014] EWFC B176
Re U-B (Abduction: Objections to Return) [2015] 2 FLR 1382 [2015]
IB v MM [2015] EWHC 1502 (Fam)
Re B [2015] EWHC 2047 (Fam)
Re C (A Child) (2015) [2015] EWCA Civ 988
AT v SS (2015) [2015] EWHC 2703 (Fam)
Re F (Child’s Objections) (2015) [2015] EWCA Civ 1022
Re J (Jurisdiction: Abduction) [2015] UKSC 70
Re D (A Child) (International Recognition) [2016] EWCA Civ 12
Ciccone v Ritchie (No 1) [2016] EWHC 608 (Fam)
Ciccone v Ritchie (No 2) [2016] EWHC 616 (Fam)
In the matter of N (Children) [2016] UKSC 15
K v K (Appeal: Excessive Costs) [2016] EWHC 2002 (Fam) [2016] 1 FLR 170
Re H (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 988
Re R (Internal Relocation: Appeal) [2016] EWCA Civ 1016
Re Alcott [2016] EWHC 2413 (Fam)
Re Alcott [2016] EWHC 2414 (Fam)
Re H (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 988
Re R (Final) [2016] EWCA Civ 1016
Another v PD [2017] EWHC 1514 (Fam)
F v M and A and Sec of State [2017] EWHC 949
H v K [2017] EWHC 1141 (Fam)
Re A (A Minor) (Fact Finding: Unrepresented Party) [2017] EWHC 1195 (Fam)
FE v YE [2017] EWHC 2165 (Fam)
In the matter of C (Children) [2018] UKSC 8
AG and AB (Children) [2018] EWHC 381 (Fam)
Re S (Abduction – Hague Convention or BIIa) [2018] EWCA Civ 1226
RVH v TF (Non Hague Convention Refusal of Summary Return) [2018] EWHC              1680 (Fam)
MC v AC [2018] EWHC 1470 (Fam)
A & B v C [2018] EWHC 2048
UD v XB [2019] C-393/18 (PPU)
AB v CD & C [2019] EWHC 1695 (Fam)
Re A (Children), Re (Rev 1) [2019] EWHC 2334 (Fam)
Re NY (A Child) [2019] UKSC 49
Re I-L (Children) (1996 Hague Child Protection Convention: Inherent Jurisdiction) [2019] EWCA Civ 1956
Re K (Forced Marriage: Passport Order) [2020] EWCA Civ 190
Re E (Children) [2020] EWCA Civ 1030
Re B (A Child) (Abduction: Habitual Residence) [2020] EWCA Civ 1187

Professional Memberships

  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Middle Temple
  • Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

Directories

“A go-to barrister for anything complex.”

“She is unflappable because she is confident in her own ability. She matches more experienced KCs in terms of her advocacy and knowledge.”

“Jacqueline works tirelessly for clients and is meticulous in her preparation which enables her to master the detail. A strong and effective advocate.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024

Band 1

‘Jacqueline is a phenomenal and extraordinary barrister. She is hugely supportive of clients and strives to achieve the best outcomes for them. She has excellent judgement, and invariably her call on the case is where it lands.’
Legal 500, 2024
Top Tier

“Jacqueline Renton is at the top of her game; she’s so knowledgeable on the law and good on her feet.”
“A go-to for difficult international cases, she really fights for her client, is very astute tactically and no-nonsense in her approach. The client feels that she’s going to battle all the way and get them the outcome they want.”
Chambers and Partners, 2023
Band 1

‘Jacqueline has an encyclopedic knowledge of children adduction law. She is a passionate and highly intelligent advocate.’
Legal 500, 2023
Top Tier

“A lawyer with a first-rate mind who is tenacious and pays excellent attention to detail.” “Her legal knowledge and grasp of the most technical international family law issues is unsurpassable.” “Jacqueline is a tenacious barrister with almost unparalleled experience in the field of international children law. She displays utter determination when acting for her clients.

“Recent work: Represented the mother before the Court of Appeal in Re B, a case concerning the return of a child to France. Issues included habitual residence and whether a ‘third state return’ is legally permissable under the Hague Convention.
Chambers & Partners, 2022
Band 1

‘ One of the best junior children practitioners out there. ’
Legal 500, 2022
Top Tier

Focuses her specialised children practice on sophisticated international issues centring on jurisdiction, relocation and abduction. She is regarded as an expert in this area by sources, and has appeared before the CJEU on behalf of her clients.

Strengths: “An experienced and effective advocate with an encyclopedic knowledge of international children matters.” “A leading guru on child abduction and relocation, she takes her job very seriously.” “Undoubtedly one of the best juniors for leave to remove cases. She is fearless and you know it is going to be tough if she is on the other side, so it is always best to retain her first.”

Recent work: Represented Reunite International, a child abduction charity, in an appeal to the UK Supreme Court to order the return of a child back to its father in Israel.
Chambers & Partners, 2021
Band 1

‘A top level specialist in international children’s cases and other private law children’s cases of great difficulty. As well as a truly encyclopaedic knowledge of child abduction and other international children’s work, in which she has long and comprehensive experience – she is a practitioner of exceptional quality.’
Legal 500, 2021
Top Tier


Focuses her specialised children practice on sophisticated international issues centring on jurisdiction, relocation and abduction. She is regarded as an expert in this area by sources, and has appeared before the CJEU on behalf of her clients.

Strengths: “A complete powerhouse in court, her advocacy is excellent and she is a match for any QC. She is extremely tenacious and hard-working.” “She’s great with clients, fantastic as an advocate and she cuts through the issues to get straight to the point.”
Chambers & Partners 2020
Band 1

‘A confident and fierce advocate.’
Legal 500, 2020
Top Tier

Focuses her specialised children practice on sophisticated international issues centring on jurisdiction, relocation and abduction. She already has an impressive number of appellate notches on her belt including appearances in the UK Supreme Court.

Strengths: “A very hard-working, excellent and tenacious advocate. You would want her to fight your case every time.” “She’s exceptionally good and very assiduous about her work.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
Band 1

‘A tenacious and determined advocate.’
Legal 500, 2019

Focuses her specialised children practice on sophisticated international issues centring on jurisdiction, relocation and abduction. She already has an impressive number of appellate notches on her belt including appearances in the UK Supreme Court.

Strengths: “Jacqueline’s star is shining very brightly and she is in hot demand. Clients like her as she is firm in her advice and forceful in her advocacy. She will go on to even bigger and better things without a doubt.”

Recent work: Led by David Williams QC on behalf of Madonna Ciccone in a high-profile Hague Convention issue.
Chambers & Partners 2018
Band 1

‘One of a number of specialist junior counsel in the field of child abduction.’
Legal 500, 2017 

Focuses her specialised children practice on sophisticated conflicts centring on jurisdiction, relocation and abduction. She regularly appears in the High Court and the Supreme Court.
Strengths: “She is brilliant on children law and holds herself extremely well in court against much more senior barristers.”
Chambers & Partners 2017
Band 1

‘She is a pocket battleship, out-manoeuvring and out-gunning opponents.’
The Legal 500, 2016

Widely regarded as one of the rising stars of private children work, she often handles cases with an international element. Her peers value the enthusiasm and maturity she brings to her practice.

Strengths: “Really hard-working, very bright and extremely knowledgeable. She’s got an aura of being a lot more senior than she is. She is going to be one of the big names in family law.”
Chambers & Partners 2016
Band 1

Has a specialised private law children practice dealing with cross-border disputes pertaining to international custody and abductions.

Expertise: “A ball of energy who is going to go far. She’s certainly doing work well above her call, and is one of the leading people on abduction outside of silk.” “Jacqueline’s appreciation and understanding of the complexities of child abduction cases ensure quick and client-focused outcomes.”

Recent work: Represented the mother in a wardship dispute concerning children who were wrongfully retained in Russia by their father.

Chambers & Partners 2015

Seen as a rising star in cross-jurisdiction children matters, and has been frequently sought after to handle cases relating to child abduction, relocation and international custody/access.

Expertise: “She has an excellent practice and is wise beyond her years of call.”
Chambers & Partners 2014

05/07/23
[2023] EWHC 1673 (Fam)
08/03/23
[2023] EWHC 469 (Fam)
17/01/23
[2022] EWHC 3362 (Fam)
10/05/22
[2022] EWHC 1073 (Fam)
16/03/21
[2021] EWHC 665 (Fam)
16/03/21
[2021] EWHC 665 (Fam) (16 March 2021)
30/07/18
[2018] EWHC 2048
02/05/18
[2018] EWHC 1470
28/02/18
[2018] EWHC 381 (Fam)
11/05/17
[2017] EWHC 1141 (Fam)
29/09/16
[2016] EWHC 2414 (Fam)
27/09/16
[2016] EWHC 2413 (Fam)
29/07/16
[2016] EWHC 2002 (Fam)
29/09/15
[2015] EWHC 2703 (Fam)
15/07/15
[2015] EWHC 2047
22/04/15
[2015] EWHC 1502 (Fam)
12/03/14
[2014] EWHC 749 (Fam)
25/02/14
[2014] EWHC 484 (Fam)
30/09/13
[2013] EWHC 2989 (Fam)
27/03/13
[2013] EWHC 692 (Fam)
24/10/12
[2012] EWCA Civ 1364; 2013] 1 FLR 645 : [2012] 3 FCR 443 : [2013] Fam Law 37 : (2012) 156(41) SJLB 31
02/03/12
[2012] EWHC 931 (Fam)
02/02/12
[2012] EWHC 139 (Fam)
09/12/11
[2011] EWHC 3882 (Fam)
18/11/11
[2011] EWHC 3139 (Fam)
27/05/10
[2011] 1 FLR 724 : [2010] Fam Law 1161
10/12/09
[2010] 1 FLR 1342 : [2010] Fam Law 228 : (2010) 154(1) SJLB 28 : [2009] EWHC 3288 (Fam)