Debbie Chism > Stewarts Law LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Stewarts Law LLP Offices

Stewarts Law LLP
5 NEW STREET SQUARE
LONDON
EC4A 3BF
England
Visit website 020 7822 8000 020 7822 8037

Debbie Chism

Debbie Chism photo
020 7822 8000 [email protected]

Work Department

Divorce and Family

Position

Partner in the Divorce and Family department.

Debbie’s leading national reputation in family law is built on over 20 years’ experience advising high net worth individuals.

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.

Career

Debbie graduated from Oxford University (Jurisprudence).

Memberships

  • Resolution
  • International Academy of Family Lawyers
  • International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

Personal

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

Leisure

As much reading, travel and theatre as her two children will allow.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Private client > Family

(Leading partners)

Debbie Chism  –Stewarts Law LLP

Praised as ‘the strongest matrimonial team in London – and indeed the UK’, Stewarts Law LLP‘s family team boasts ‘several big hitting partners and strength in depth at all levels‘. Department head and ‘master strategist‘ Stephen Foster is recommended as a go-to for ‘high value, multi jurisdictional and complicated matters‘. ‘Excellent negotiator’ Debbie Chism is highlighted for her collaborative practice, while Matthew Humphries‘ litigation experience stands out. For international matters, in particular those in the US, Emma Hatley is a go-to; Toby Atkinson also sought after for these issues. Richard Hogwood is ‘the mastermind of pre and post nups’, valued for his ‘thoughtful and empathetic approach‘. Carly Kinch often handles matters involving trusts, family businesses and inherited wealth, while Lucy Stewart-Gould spearheads the team’s links with Hong Kong and the Middle East. Lewis Powers is also recommended, and Helen Ward remains a key figure in the team.

Lawyer Rankings

Top Tier Firm Rankings

Firm Rankings