Debbie Chism

Spear’s Review

One of the most respected family solicitors in London, Debbie Chism is known not only for winning fierce court battles, but also for devising creative out-of-court methods to settle complex disputes. ‘It’s always best to find a solution that both parties can live with,’ she says. ‘One of the defining features of my practice is collaborative law, and I always have collaborative cases on the go.’ 

The former Spear’s Award winner has spent more than a decade at Stewarts and possesses a formidable reputation for working on complex issues that arise from divorce, ranging from asset valuation and business interests to trusts and wealth protection structures.

Notable Cases

• IR v OR [2022] EWFC 20

• ES v SS [2023]

• HRH Prince Louis v HRH Princess Tessy [2017]

Adviser Profile

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). Debbie advises regularly on international pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. 

Following on from her groundbreaking victory in the Court of Appeal (XW v XH), which re-defined the law around special contribution arguments, Debbie’s recently reported cases include IR v OR [2022] in which she achieved an award for the wife of over £70 million (exceeding the husband’s offer by over £20 million) and acting for the husband in ES v SS [2023], a financial remedies claim (of more than £50 million), where the main issues considered by the Court related to valuations of private equity interests and tax risks, as well as securing a departure from equality in the husband’s favour as a result of wealth generated prior to the marriage. 

Debbie is also well known for her expertise in collaborative law which has as its central tenet reaching agreement without Court proceedings. Collaborative law solutions remain an option that clients are keen to explore given the potential costs, delay and lack of privacy inherent in the Court system. Debbie has worked with families to resolve issues regarding children and finances as well as the preparation of pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Debbie finds collaborative work offers separating couples a far more civilised, efficient and satisfactory process with the interests of families, particularly children, at its heart.