Deborah Leask

My Approach

I have a constructive and pragmatic approach to resolving family disputes and to finding creative ways to overcome obstacles in negotiations. I use my expertise as a family mediator and collaborative family lawyer to try to avoid litigation and achieve a negotiated settlement, if possible. Where necessary, I use my skills as a litigator, acquired over many years of practice as a family lawyer, to achieve a fair outcome.

Area of Expertise

• All aspects of divorce.
• Complex financial issues arising from the breakdown of marriage, cohabitation or civil partnership.
• Matters involving the valuation and sharing of pensions
• Division of family owned businesses following the breakdown of a relationship.
• Representing high net worth clients.
• Forensic analysis of complex finances.
• Mediating issues relating to finance, future arrangements for children and any other issues arising upon divorce or separation.

Recent Work

• Forensic examination of a family company to achieve an accurate valuation and fair division of the business.
• The matrimonial capital was modest but one party had substantial income resources through family discretionary trusts.
• Client’s ex spouse had failed to disclose very valuable share options at the time of the separation and division of capital, many years earlier.
• Wives of professional footballers with very large salaries but short careers.
• Non-disclosure of large dividends due to be received shortly after settlement. Involved re-opening the original Court Order.
• Mediating matters which involve the division of family companies, undervalued final salary pensions and foreign property.

Professional Associations & Qualifications

• Ranked in Band 2 for Family in Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2026 - "Deborah is tenacious and has a very good eye for detail."
• Recognised Lawyer in The Legal 500 2026 for Family
• Recognised as a Notable Practitioner for Family in Chambers & Partner UK Guide 2025 - "Deborah Leask is tenacious, robust and has a keen eye for details in complex financial disputes. She really thinks outside the box and she commands high respect."
• Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 UK 2025 for Family Law - "Deborah is a tenacious litigator with a thorough approach that invariably results in client loyalty satisfaction."
• Recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2024 for Family Law - described to have a "fantastic ability to forensically dissect complex issues and only focus on what is relevant"
• Recognised in Chambers & Partners (UK 2023) for Family Law - "Deborah is well regarded; she is very competent and clients like her."
• Recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2023 for Family Law - described to have "an excellent head for complex figures and really enjoys the technical and complex side of money work"
• Recognised as an accredited mediator and collaborative lawyer in the Chambers & Partners Guide UK 2022. "She has a real head for complex figures and is not afraid to delve into the minutiae." "Deborah Leask is brilliant with the clients."
• Recognised as a notable practitioner for being 'a tough negotiator' and providing 'sensible and practical advice; she knows when to settle and when to fight' - Chambers & Partners Guide UK 2020.
• Recognised in The Times Top 200 Law Firms 2020
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2022) for Family – praised for being part of a "strong and experienced leadership team"
• Ranked as a leading family lawyer in the south coast by Chambers UK (2018) - “Deborah comes recommended for her expertise in complex financial disputes and pensions issues”. “She is highly experienced and practical, with a good client manner”.
• Recommended lawyer by the Legal 500 (UK 2019) as 'experienced and approachable' and 'excellent with
  clients'.
• Recommended lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2017) specifically noted for her having 'a wonderful manner with her clients, while being robust '.
• Achieved accreditation as a family mediator with the Law Society in 2016
• Trained and qualified as a collaborative family lawyer in 2007
• Gained accreditation (in advanced finance and pensions) through Resolution in 2000
• Qualified as a family mediator with Resolution in 1996
• Qualified as a solicitor in January 1990
• Solicitors Finals passed with honours in 1987
• LLB (Hons) Law Degree obtained in 1986
• Member of Resolution
• Member of Phoenix Mediation