Chrissie Cuming Walters

Spear’s Review

Chrissie Cuming Walters had an unusual start in the world of family law: addressing the court in her own no-fault divorce from a position of what she calls ‘near homelessness’. Four years later, she was in front of a district judge, this time on behalf of a paying client. She is now a partner in the family department of leading law firm Keystone.

A dual-qualified solicitor of England and Wales, and a US attorney-at-law, Cuming Walters supports HNW and UHNW clients with cases before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, County Courts and magistrates. Based on her own experience, she seeks to take a pragmatic approach, coupling this with empathy, emotional intelligence and an understanding of clients’ needs.

Cuming Walters is particularly adept at advising on the financial considerations when a relationship breaks down. She can assist splitting cohabitating couples and is a strong advocate of financially weaker parties seeking financial advice prior to divorce proceedings. She also will set the appropriate negotiation parameters with lawyers and financial advisers in order to meet her clients’ short-term and long-term needs. 

Increasingly, her clients are turning towards alternative dispute resolution as a forum for negotiating terms upon divorce, although she strives to be a ‘fierce’ litigator if the court process cannot be avoided. 

Adviser Profile

Chrissie is a dual-qualified solicitor and US attorney specialising in family law. Having spent time at a multinational brokerage house and securities regulation think-tank prior to commencing her legal career, she has particular expertise in the financial issues that arise from relationship breakdown. 

Chrissie has a growing practice of acting for cohabitees on relationship breakdown, particularly where property interests are concerned, and regularly advises on the application of the ToLATA (in both family and chancery) to realise such interests where a dispute arises. 

Experienced in dealing with the courts at all levels, including the Court of Appeal and UK Supreme Court, Chrissie has an impressive success rate in acting for clients in relocation cases. She also deals with allegations of domestic violence and the subsequent securing of injunctions. 

Where appropriate, Chrissie guides clients through the alternative dispute resolution process and is a strong negotiator. If unavoidable, Chrissie draws on her experience as a fierce, New York-trained litigator and advocate.