Debbie Chism

Practice Areas

Debbie’s leading national reputation in family law is built on over 20 years’ experience advising high net worth individuals. Spear’s 500 describes her as “one of the most respected family solicitors in London, Debbie is known not only for winning fierce court battles, but also for devising creative out-of-court methods to settle complex disputes.” Chambers says: “If you have a difficult divorce, there is nobody better in London than her. She’s clear, she’s strategic – what more could you want?”

Career

Debbie graduated from Oxford University (Jurisprudence) in 1990.

Professional Memberships

Debbie is a fellow of Resolution, the International Academy of Family Lawyers and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Publications

The Independent: Landmark judgement overturns court ruling that stopped wife getting more than 29% of divorce settlement

Tatler: As market conditions fluctuate, how can I best protect my assets?

Family law Q&A: Debbie Chism on the benefits of collaborative law

Personal

Away from work, Debbie offers her support as Chair of Governors to an independent school for girls.

Industry Sector Expertise

Debbie’s practice encompasses all aspects of family law (complex asset valuation, business interests, trusts and wealth protection structures). She advises regularly on international pre-nuptial agreements.

Debbie is known for her expertise in collaborative law, and she co-founded England’s first multi-disciplinary group of collaborative professionals (Creative Divorce).

Experience

IR v OR [2022] – Debbie acted for the wife, achieving an award of over £70m (exceeding the husband’s offer by over £20m). The case dealt with how wealth generated before the marriage and from the sale of a family business should be treated, as well as the enforceability of a pre-nuptial agreement.

XW v XH [2019] EWCA Civ 549; XW v XH [2019] EWCA Civ 2262, [2020] 4 WLR 22 – Debbie acted for the wife who was awarded one of the highest recorded English divorce settlements by the Court of Appeal. The case dealt with issues of special contribution, privacy and foreign marital contracts. The wife was successful, exceptionally, in her application for the reporting restrictions order granted in the High Court to be maintained in the Court of Appeal.

HRH Prince Louis v HRH Princess Tessy [2017]– Debbie acted for HRH Prince Louis of Luxembourg in the successful application for a reporting restrictions order relating to family proceedings.