Jacqueline Renton

Profile

Jacqueline is a leading senior junior who specialises in the field of international children law. Running alongside her international practice, she also has a substantial practice in complex / high conflict private children law disputes.

For many years, Jacqueline 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.

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. Her cases often involve complex and novel points of law, and she has played an important role in the development of this area of jurisprudence for many years. To date, she has appeared in 77 reported cases.

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 where she made oral submissions in the case of UD v XB [2019] C-393/18 (PPU), and has filed two amicus curiae briefs before the US Supreme Court.

Jacqueline is often against KCs. She has also had a number of leading briefs, both in the High Court and Court of Appeal, which has made very experienced in undertaking appellate advocacy in legally complex cases.

Jacqueline has represented a number of celebrities over the years, as well as numerous UHNW / HNW clients. She also remains fully committed to publicly funded and pro bono work.

Jacqueline is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a member of the International Family Justice 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 in the House of Lords as to the impact of Brexit on European family law.

Directories

“Jacqueline is a leading barrister in the field of international cross-border children matters and has a wealth of experience in this area.”

“She gives every client, whether an international celebrity or asylum seeker client on legal aid, the same attention and diligence.”

“Extremely well-prepared and robust in court, she is strong in terms of both her written and oral advocacy. A future KC for sure.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
Band 1

‘Jacqueline is a natural in court. She thinks quickly on her feet and is excellent at strategising.’
Legal 500, 2025

“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