Who? Peter Jones, family law partner in his 'late 50s' at Leeds firm Jones Myers Partnership.


Why is he in the news? He represented Dennis North, whose ex-wife had applied to the court for a bigger share of his assets - almost 30 years after their divorce.



The couple divorced in 1978 when Mr North discovered that she was having an affair. He was left to bring up their three children alone, having given his former wife what he and the court considered sufficient assets to live comfortably for the rest of her life. Mrs North then lost money on the stock exchange and - it was claimed in court - lived beyond her means, prompting her to seek additional financial help from her former husband.



In April 2006 a district judge ordered Mr North to pay his former wife a lump sum of £202,000, a decision that was later upheld by the High Court. The Court of Appeal overturned the ruling last month.



Background: Read law at Leeds University and completed his training contract in the 1970s at a firm that no longer exists. He went on to become a partner at Leeds firm Read Hind Stewart, leaving in 1992 to set up Jones Myers Partnership. He is a former chairman of Resolution.



Route to the case: Recommendation.



Thoughts on the case: 'It was an interesting and unusual case in so far as it related to a nominal order obtained by a wife in 1981 at a time when the court did not have jurisdiction to dismiss, without consent, spousal maintenance.



'The district judge at the first hearing supported the husband's case, but nevertheless awarded a capitalised lump sum of £202,000 to the wife. The High Court, while indicating that the judge might not have made any award had he originally heard the case, did not overturn the decision. The Court of Appeal, however, set aside the order and substituted a much lower figure [£3,000 a year].



'This particular case always seemed unfair to the husband, a fact that is reflected in his persistence in appealing. Nevertheless, the decision still leaves the door open for nominal orders, no matter how old, to be revisited. It has no doubt prompted husbands to look back at their existing orders and probably to apply for dismissal.'



Dealing with the media: 'We issued a statement, but most of my media relations were directed at protecting Mr North from the intrusion of the press. It was a difficult time for him, his children and his second wife. I'm pleased to say that the press exercised considerable sensitivity.'



Jonathan Rayner