Joanne Thomas
Director | Oxford | Bristol | Milton Keynes
"Jo Thomas is beloved by clients with good reason.'"
The Legal 500, 2025
Call: 0186 578 1210 Mobile: 0796 631 2023
About Joanne
With over 12 years of experience in all aspects of Family Law, Joanne has developed particular expertise in advising on complicated private children disputes involving allegations of domestic violence, including coercive and controlling behaviour; high-net-worth (HNW) divorce cases that encompass family businesses, foreign property, inherited wealth, and other complex legal issues;
Having experienced her own fertility journey to create her family, Joanne has developed a strong passion for advising and supporting individuals undergoing fertility treatments—particularly those pursuing donor conception and surrogacy—on fertility law matters, which has become an increasingly significant focus of her practice.
Joanne is dedicated to providing clear, pragmatic advice, which enables her clients to achieve the best, long-term solution.
As a member of Resolution, a national organisation of professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes, Joanne advocates resolving family issues as amicably and cost-effectively as possible, particularly where children are involved. However, it is not always possible to resolve family issues without involving the Court, and where contested court proceedings are instigated, Joanne is highly experienced in advising, supporting and robustly representing clients through the legal process.
Joanne is listed as a Recommended Lawyer and recognised as a Leading Associate in The Legal 500 (2025 edition) in Family. Joanne is also listed as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw, being recognised in the 24 Best Divorce Lawyers and Family Solicitors in Bristol.
Contact Joanne
Call: 0186 578 1210
Mobile: 0796 631 2023
Notable work & expertise
Joanne can advise on Civil Partnerships.
Joanne can help cohabiting couples.
Recent Work
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Advising a wife following the breakdown of her marriage, where the financial assets were worth circa £5 million and included complex international business issues as well as inherited wealth. There were also issues regarding the date of separation (which was crucial in determining which assets fell into the matrimonial pot), the husband’s non-disclosure of assets, and a dispute as to the true value of his business interests. Joanne successfully overcame the various issues, was able to ascertain a true picture of the husband’s wealth, and obtained a favourable settlement for her client.
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Advising a wife in a HNW financial matter involving a French property, and multiple UK jointly owned properties she had received as lifetime inheritances during the course of the marriage.
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Representing the husband in contested financial court proceedings which included a dispute as to the ownership and value of a property in Ukraine, as well as a dispute as to the ownership of a UK based property, requiring the intervention of a 3rd party and a contested hearing to determine these issues.
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Representing a husband in financial court proceedings following their divorce that took place circa 12 years prior to the division of the marital assets. The matter involved careful scrutiny of how and when assets were acquired by each of the parties was required to ascertain whether or not they fell into the matrimonial pot. It also involved consideration of the extent to which the ex-wife’s health and the needs of the husband’s child with severe special educational needs, should be taken into consideration when dividing the marital assets.
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Representing the father in heavily contested and protracted private children proceedings involving allegations of domestic violence including rape and coercive and controlling behaviour.
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Representing the mother in long-running, acrimonious children proceedings which included allegations of organising the attempted murder of the father.
Joanne also works with couples interested in Fertility law and Doner conception.
Joanne can assist you If you have to resolve financial issues.
Recent Work
- Achieved financial settlement through advising and representing a husband through the Court process in relation to financial matters arising from the breakdown of his marriage where the only asset was an inheritance received by the wife shortly before the parties separated.
Joanne can advise on all aspects of relationship breakdown and separation.
If you are in the process of getting divorced or your civil partnership dissolved, we would always recommend that you discuss whether it is appropriate for you to either update your Will or make a new Will if you do not have one.
Joanne can advise on pensions and divorce.
- Advising the wife-to-be on a HNW pre-nuptial agreement involving planned future lifetime inheritances, offshore assets and family trusts in advance of her marriage to a high-profile person in the US film industry.
- Advising the husband-to-be on a pre-nuptial agreement to protect pre-acquired wealth exceeding £17m
Joanne also works with couples interested in Surrogacy.
Joanne can advise on taking a child abroad.
If you are dealing with issues in court, Joanne can advise on what factors the court would take into account.
Testimonials
"Thanks for everything you did and for making it so straightforward."
Client testimonial
"I have worked closely with Joanne Thomas who is always willing to go the extra mile for her clients and gives sensible, pragmatic advice in a sens...
The Legal 500, 2023
"Joanne Thomas is a very safe pair of hands. She is very calm under pressure and has a good mind for figures."
The Legal 500, 2023
"She stands out from her peers in other firms as she is very responsive and engaged. She had always thought everything through carefully before we...
The Legal 500, 2022
"Joanne Thomas is incredibly dedicated and is always willing to go above and beyond for her clients. Her cases are always meticulously prepared and...
The Legal 500, 2022
'Joanne Thomas is one of the most dedicated and diligent solicitors I work with, and is always willing to go the extra mile for her clients. Her ad...
The Legal 500, 2024
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