Iona Nicolson

Iona Nicolson is an associate in the Family team, advising ultra-high-net-worth, high-net-worth and high-profile clients such as city professionals and business owners, on private children and matrimonial financial matters, particularly those arising from relationship breakdowns. 

Iona has expertise in complex financial remedy cases, including those involving complex business structures, foreign assets, complicated tax issues or digital assets. She also specialises in domestic children matters, with experience in cases involving serious allegations, concurrent criminal proceedings, and other sensitive issues, and regularly works on international children matters.

In addition, Iona has a busy practice advising on pre- and post-nuptial agreements and supporting a number of clients through the voluntary financial remedy or non-court dispute resolution processes. She also works closely with foreign lawyers in countries such as the Netherlands, Turkey, Colombia and Switzerland, among others, to support her international caseload. As a native Dutch speaker who works extensively with Dutch clients and advisors, she brings particular expertise to matters involving Dutch-speaking families or cross-border issues involving the Netherlands.

A strong advocate for non-court dispute resolution, Iona supports her clients through mediation or arbitration, where appropriate. She is committed to developing viable alternatives to litigation and is part of a group piloting a scheme to give children a voice in solicitor-led negotiations. As part of this initiative, she is helping to organise a 'Voice of the Child' conference this year.

Where court intervention is necessary, Iona offers her clients personal and steadfast support during challenging proceedings. She excels in managing large volumes of evidence, drafting clear and concise witness statements, and presenting complex matters with clarity, all while ensuring her clients feel supported and well-informed throughout the process.

Iona joined Howard Kennedy in August 2023, having qualified in 2022. She is a member of Resolution, an organisation of family lawyers committed to resolving family matters constructively, and was recently appointed to the London YRes committee. Iona is also a regular contributor to industry and other publications, including eprivateclient, the Law Society Gazette and Tatler Experts' Corner.