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The rise of the cryptoassets in financial remedies
Connie Atkinson
Connie is a Partner in the family team and has experience of dealing with all aspects of private family work relating to both finances and children.
Connie regularly advises on cases involving:
- Complex financial arrangements with particular expertise in divorces involving business and trust assets
- International elements including
- International relocation (also known as leave to remove)
- Cross border matrimonial disputes
- Jurisdiction disputes
- Pre and post nuptial agreements
- Issues concerning the arrangements for children in particular regarding relocation within England and Wales or abroad, financial provision for children (often knows as “Schedule 1 claims”) and cases involving high conflict or parental alienation
- International surrogacy
Connie regularly assists clients with the practical and financial implications arising out of their separation. Most of Connie’s clients or their partners work in the City and many have an international connection. Connie therefore regularly works with solicitors in other jurisdictions. She is praised for her sound judgment on cases and by clients for her diligence and support.
Connie has expertise in international surrogacy cases and helps parents with the parental order applications required following their children’s birth. On these cases, she works closely with members of our immigration team to resolve any issues in bringing the children home.
Connie is also a qualified mediator and assists her mediation clients with all issues surrounding family relationship breakdown. She has a measured approach and a calm and compassionate nature when navigating clients through the process.
She is recognised as a Next Generation Partner in The Legal 500 UK for Family and Mediation and is also ranked in Chambers UK. Connie won family lawyer of the year and national private client lawyer of the year at the Private Client Modern Law Awards 2023.
Connie was one of the legal advisers on the script of The Split, Seasons 1, 2 & 3, a BBC drama series.
Connie joined Kingsley Napley as a trainee in 2008 and qualified into the family department in 2010. Prior to joining the firm, she worked at a South Devon law firm where she undertook both children and financial work. Connie obtained a law degree from Exeter University before attending the College of Law in Guildford for her legal practice course.
What clients and directories say
I love Connie Atkinson, I really rate her. She's an excellent mediator and I refer a fair amount of mediation work to her. I've had cases against her too, and she's been extremely solutions-focused."
Chambers HNW 2025
Connie Atkinson is a standout mediator. She's skilled at dealing with the trickiest of cases, very calm and an exceptional lawyer. She's also one of the leading voices in fertility and surrogacy law."
Chambers HNW 2025
Connie Atkinson is one of my go-to recommendations in mediation matters. She does things you think can't be mediated. She also does a lot of work in new family and surrogacy issues."
Chambers HNW 2025
Connie is good at looking at the next move so that clients don't get a surprise when X or Y doesn't happen - she's always got a plan."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
She is a powerful voice for children and is very proactive in the community"
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Connie Atkinson is a shining light in the family law world. As a solicitor, Connie is refreshingly understated and modest about her abilities, phenomenally hard-working and gives clients realistic and empathetic advice. Connie also has a thriving mediation practice and as a mediator, can unlock even the trickiest of cases in mediation.'
Legal 500, 2025
Connie Atkinson's mediation practice goes from strength to strength. She makes clients feel empowered by the process and crucially they both feel it is fair and that they are heard. Connie is patient and fair, and firm where necessary, so one party does not feel there is a power imbalance.'
Legal 500, 2025
Connie thinks laterally about how to solve clients’ problems with the law while being attentive and warm. She is excellent."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
Connie has a brilliant manner with clients and puts them at ease."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
Connie is a real star. She is committed to providing an outstanding service to her clients. She is technically brilliant and will not fight unreasonable points. She adopts a solution-focused approach."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
Connie Atkinson is one of the best there is. A real star and climbing her way to the very top, where she belongs. Brilliant all-round skills and a joy to work with."
Legal 500, 2024
One of the best lawyers of her generation."
Chambers UK, 2023
Connie is client-focused, approachable and down to earth."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2023
She is second to none in terms of her surrogacy work."
Chambers UK, 2023
She is a fantastic solicitor. I love that she has a really down-to-earth approach with clients and that she can deal with anybody and everything."
Chambers UK, 2023
Connie is absolutely amazing. She is very experienced, very client-focused and very strategic in her approach."
Chambers UK, 2023
She is all over the detail and has a nice manner, which is direct and straightforward. When I see her name on the papers, my heart sings."
Chambers UK, 2023
She is bright and has sound judgement, and a commitment to her cases, whilst also taking a reasonable and collaborative approach to her cases.
Legal 500, 2023
REcent CASES
- CP v M & Ors [2025] EWFC 39
- Mr and Mrs K v Mr and Mrs Z [2025] EWHC 927 (Fam) – acted for applicant parents in surrogacy case in which the court provided additional guidance as to relevant factors for intended parents to address
- R v T [2022] EWHC 3362 (Fam) - the court’s determination of preliminary issues regarding parentage and jurisdiction following applications regarding a sibling group habitually resident in the United Arab Emirates
- SW v IB [2022] EWFC 151 – challenge to a decision made in arbitration. Arbitration decision upheld by the court
- Y v Y (Financial Remedy: Marriage Contract) [2014] EWHC 2920 (Fam) - financial remedy proceedings in the High Court concerning the weight to be given to a foreign marriage contract
- Re: N 2016 UKSC 15 - intervening on behalf of The International Centre for Family Law Policy and Practice
- Re: R 2016/1437 - intervening on behalf of The International Centre for Family Law Policy and Practice
PUBLICATIONS
- A reflection on 10 years of the offence of controlling and coercive behaviour - Solicitor's Journal, April 2025
- National Fertility Awareness Week | In the Club? - Today's Family Lawyer, October 2023
- National Fertility Awareness Week | In the Club? - We Are The City, October 2023
- HNW Divorce Magazine Issue 14 - ADR in Divorce, ThoughtLeaders4 HNW Divorce, October 2023
- The Pros and Cons of Nesting - The Divorce Magazine, August 2023
- What is allyship and how can law firms help LGBTQIA people? My Surrogacy Journey, July 2023
- Surrogacy: ‘Revolutionary’ changes could see intended parents recognised in law from birth, Today's Family Lawyer 2023
- Family lawyers welcome ''revolutionary'' surrogacy recommendations, Law Society Gazette, March 2023
- Surrogacy law reform up for UK government review following draft legislation publication, EPrivateClient, March 2023
- Surrogacy 'revolution' underway, New Law Journal, March 2023
- How will the new law changes around surrogacy impact parents in the UK? Women's Health, March 2023
- 60 seconds with Connie, Thought Leaders 4, October 2022
- The rise of the crypto assets in financial remedies, ThoughtLeaders4 HNW Magazine, October 2022
- Work Life, Stylist, January 2022
- ‘it’s None Of Your Business’ - A Review Of The Issues Affecting A Divorce Settlement When Business Assets Are Involved, Thought Leaders 4, January 2022
- ThoughtLeaders4 HNW Divorce Magazine - Issue 5, May 2021
- Valuing your business for divorce proceedings during the uncertainty of COVID, Business Matters, May 2020
- When solicitors divorce: calculating an equity partner’s income - Law Society Gazette, March 2020
- Connie was one of the legal advisers on the script of The Split, Seasons 1 & 2, a BBC drama series, which aired in 2018 and 2020
- International surrogacy - the legal challenges for US nationals bringing a surrogate child to the UK, The American Magazine, April 2018
- Residency tested - A landmark case concerning habitual residence shows how the courts are adapting to social change - The Law Society Gazette, January 2014
- Child abduction: do children’s views count? - The Times, January 2014
Professional Societies and memberships and Awards
- Chambers UK
- The Legal 500 UK
- Listed in the 'Recommended' tier in the Spears Family Law Index 2025.
- Resolution (the association of family lawyers committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes)
- The Law Society – including the Family and the Junior Lawyers’ Divisions
- The Family Mediation Council
- Listed as a Citywealth Leader in Family and Matrimonial
- Doyle's Guide 2025, Leading, Family & Divorce Lawyer
- Doyle's Guide 2025, Leading, Children Lawyers
Further information
In her spare time, Connie enjoys cooking (and eating), netball and running.
