Deborah's work includes preparation of pre-nuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements and the resolution of complex financial issues within divorce. She also advises on relationship breakdown outside of marriage or civil partnership and has extensive experience of children law matters, including international relocation.

She acts for clients from a variety of sectors including public figures and musicians. Deborah is particularly known for her understanding of the psychological impact of relationship breakdown and is respected by mental health practitioners.

Deborah’s breadth of work involves close liaison with other specialist practice areas at Simkins including the corporate, litigation, property and private client teams.

Deborah is a trained collaborative lawyer and has for several years been highly ranked in the legal directories (including Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Spear’s) in which she has been described in recent years as ‘utterly committed to her clients and has a steely and calm approach’ and ‘…a tough negotiator, who you’d want on your side‘. Spear’s have ranked Deborah as ‘Outstanding in the Field’ of family law and a ‘Top Recommended Family Lawyer’.

Career highlights:

Acted for the husband in the reported case of OS v DS [2004] which set a precedent for the use of an oral disclosure hearing for preliminary discovery in financial remedy proceedings within divorce.

Acted for the wife in the reported case of SS v NS (Spousal Maintenance) [2014] which established the key principles now applied in determining an application for spousal maintenance.