Lucy Marks

Lucy advises unmarried couples on resolving disputes over property, finances, and separation, helping clients protect their interests with guidance on cohabitation agreements and rights upon relationship breakdown. 

• Acted for a client following a 20-year relationship, involving a property dispute regarding their jointly held property without an express declaration of trust. Advised on issuing proceedings under TOLATA. Settlement was reached at a private FDR.  

• Advised a cohabitant in relation to their position in advance of cohabiting, and in respect of their rights under a cohabitation agreement, drafted by their partner. Subsequent amendments to that agreement protected the client’s position.  

• Advised and represented a client in a case involving the beneficial interest of two jointly owned properties in this jurisdiction, following a lengthy period of cohabitation. Considered with the client all contentious matters including constructive and resulting trust claims and advised behind the scenes during mediation.  

Lucy specialises in complex financial proceedings following divorce, including high-value asset division, ensuring clients receive fair settlements. Her experience also extends to divorces with an international element.  

• Acted for the wife in financial remedy proceedings involving various properties in different jurisdictions. The trial of a preliminary issue took place concerning the beneficial ownership of a property abroad (under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, which the husband asserted was held exclusively by a third party, who was joined to proceedings as intervenor. The wife successfully defended such claims.  

• Acted for the husband at first instance and on appeal in the reported cases of H v W [2013] EWHC 4105 (Fam) and H v W [2014} EWHC 2846, which remains one of the leading cases dealing with the treatment of bonuses on divorce. On appeal, the husband was successful in having a cap placed on the maintenance. In a subsequent hearing, the court ordered that the wife’s position in relation to mediation had been unreasonable and ordered her to pay the husband’s costs.  

• Acted for a wife in a case involving allegations that the husband had refused to provide full and frank disclosure leading to increased costs. The husband’s conduct throughout the case led to the court making costs orders against him, and the wife receiving a larger share of the assets to meet her needs.  

Lucy acts for parents in applications to relocate internationally and nationally, where there are disputes about where a child should live. 

• Acted for a mother, in her application to relocate to Spain, with her two young children, both in relation to the substantive application (at a final hearing) and subsequently on appeal.  

• Acted for the father, opposing the mother’s application to relocate with the child to China, which succeeded at final hearing.  

• Acted for the mother in the reported case of S v T (permission to relocate to Russia) [2012] EWHC 4023 (Fam), one of the first successful applications to Russia.   

Lucy represents parents in applications under the Children Act 1989, including contact, residence, change of name and choice of school disputes, advocating for arrangements that serve children’s best interests. 

• Acted for the mother in proceedings for a child arrangements involving a six-year-old child, where there were allegations of coercive control and abuse, with considerable focus and attention given to protecting the mother during handovers.  

• Acted for the mother in connection with child arrangements involving a six-month-old baby, where the father was seeking a shared care arrangement.  

• Acted for the mother of two young children, where the father had an alcohol addiction. The arrangements therefore had to provide for comprehensive alcohol testing prior to each arrangement.  

Lucy acts for parents in applications under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 for financial provision for their children and child support arrangements including enforcement of the same.  

• Represented the mother in a Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 application against a high-profile father, seeking financial provision including claims for housing, maintenance and educational costs for the benefit of the child. Successfully negotiated a housing fund for the mother and child along with a lump sum and maintenance.  

• Acted for a father in proceedings instituted by the mother in respect of registration/ enforcement of a French child maintenance order, which was subsequently dismissed by the court.  

• Acted for the father defending a Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 application brought by the mother seeking a substantial lump sum and provision for housing. The case involved significant scrutiny of the mother’s budget in order to challenge the extent of her financial claims. The matter resolved at the dispute resolution hearing.  

Resolution-accredited specialist in Advanced Financial Provision and International Family law.  

Listed in Citywealth Directory of Lawyers, 2016, 2017, 2024 and 2025  

Recommended in Thomson Reuters directory of Super lawyers 2015 

Member of Resolution  

Fellow of the Association of Spanish Speaking family lawyers (AIJUDEFA) 

Member of the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA)