Lucy Hitchen
SOLICITOR
Lucy's experience covers a wide range of family law matters, often with an international element, including divorce/dissolution, finances, children matters and pre and post-nuptial agreements.
Lucy advises clients on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including complex financial matters involving high-net-worth individuals, family businesses and sophisticated asset structures. She has experience in cases involving offshore trusts and has a particular interest in the treatment of business assets on divorce.
Alongside her financial practice, Lucy advises on a wide range of children matters, including domestic and international relocation cases, arrangements for children and financial claims brought on behalf of children following parental separation.
Lucy is committed to resolving disputes constructively wherever possible and has experience of achieving favourable outcomes through negotiation and alternative forms of dispute resolution. When court proceedings are required, she provides clear strategic advice and represents her clients with confidence and determination.
Clients value Lucy's thoughtful and pragmatic approach, as well as her ability to guide them through complex and often sensitive issues with clarity.
Lucy recently acted for the wife in the reported case of DR v UG [2023] EWFC 68.
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2013 Trainee, Charles Russell LLP
2015 Associate, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
2021 Senior Associate, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
2024 Solicitor, Ribet Myles LLP
Reported Cases
DR v UG
[2023] EWFC 68
Lucy was part of the team who acted for the wife in this significant financial remedy case concerning the extent to which a spouse can claim a share of assets acquired after separation. The parties had built up substantial wealth during a long marriage, but the husband argued that a significant proportion of his assets had been generated after the relationship had ended and should therefore be excluded from the sharing principle. The Court carefully examined the source of the wealth and the extent to which it was attributable to the parties' joint endeavour during the marriage. The decision provides important guidance on the treatment of post-separation accrual and reinforces the principle that the court will distinguish between matrimonial and non-matrimonial property when determining a fair financial settlement. It highlights the fact-sensitive approach the court adopts when considering whether wealth created after separation should be shared between spouses.