Alexandra Hirst - Family Law Senior Associate - Boodle Hatfield

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Alexandra Hirst

Alexandra Hirst, Family Associate, Boodle Hatfield

Senior Associate
Family

+44 (0) 20 7079 8247 download vcard
Alexandra Hirst, Family Associate, Boodle Hatfield

Noted as an "Associate to Watch" in Chambers HNW 2022, 2023 & 2024 and a "Rising Star" in Legal 500 2022, 2023 & 2024, Alexandra is a member of the Firm's leading family team.

Experienced in representing clients in relation to divorce and the resolution of financial issues, she advises on cases involving substantial sums with complex asset structures (often conducted in the High Court). Her clients come from a wide range of professional backgrounds including media, finance, the arts and sport.

She is expert at drafting and negotiating agreements which regulate the distribution of assets on the breakdown of relationships, to include pre- and post-nuptial agreements for spouses and cohabitation agreements for unmarried partners.

In addition to her specialist knowledge of complex financial litigation, Alexandra also advises parents in respect of disputes concerning the care of and financial provision for their children. She has experience of acting for parents who are seeking to move with their children to another part of the country or to another jurisdiction. She has wide experience of cases involving children with mental health difficulties and learning disabilities.

Clients praise her for her expertise beyond her years and her empathy.

Alex is a fluent French speaker.

Areas of Practice

Family & Divorce, Divorce, Financial Claims in Divorce, Children, Pre & Post Nuptial Agreements, Living Together Agreements, Divorce with a Private Business, Trusts & Divorce

Track Record

Acting for the wife in the case of WM v HM [2017] EWFC 25 and Martin v Martin [2018] EWCA Civ 2866, involving arguments relating to pre-marital wealth and special contribution

Acting for the husband in a long-running case conducted in the High Court where the majority of the family assets where held in complex trust structures

Acting for the husband, a successful entrepreneur, in a case involving complex arguments as to when the parties separated and the valuation of the family business

Acting for the wife, who was the financially stronger party, in a very short marriage case. The husband sought a substantial lump sum payment but settled his claim on the basis of no payment or transfer of assets to him

Acting for a third party company in Schedule I proceedings alongside corporate advisors. A charge was placed on the father’s shares in a company as security for outstanding maintenance payments. The charge was lifted to enable the company to proceed with a significant transition event and an alternative form of security was found to protect the mother

Acting for an unmarried mother in securing financial support for a child from a high profile father who did not acknowledge the child

Acting for the financially weaker spouse in a same sex marriage and obtaining a significant financial award for the client in circumstances where the other spouse asserted that there was no claim

Advising a large Family Office in relation to a long term strategy for wealth protection for future generations, in the event of relationship breakdown or divorce

Negotiating a pre-nuptial agreement on behalf of a multi-millionaire heiress in order to ring-fence pre-marital dynastic assets

Securing a negotiated settlement on a favourable clean break basis on behalf of a husband client, preserving a family business based in Mayfair

Awards & Rankings

Legal 500, Leading Associate, 2025 & 2026

Chambers UK, Associate to Watch, 2021 – 2026

Chambers HNW, Associate to Watch, 2022 – 2025

Legal 500, Rising Stars, 2022 – 2024

Family Law Awards, Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year – Shortlisted, 2019

EprivateClient Top 35 Under 35, 2017

Publications

Tolley’s Estate Planning, Family law chapter

Memberships

Resolution

Education & Qualification

University of Cambridge

Qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and trained with Boodle Hatfield

Acting for the wife in the case of WM v HM [2017] EWFC 25 and Martin v Martin [2018] EWCA Civ 2866, involving arguments relating to pre-marital wealth and special contribution

Acting for the husband in a long-running case conducted in the High Court where the majority of the family assets where held in complex trust structures

Acting for the husband, a successful entrepreneur, in a case involving complex arguments as to when the parties separated and the valuation of the family business

Acting for the wife, who was the financially stronger party, in a very short marriage case. The husband sought a substantial lump sum payment but settled his claim on the basis of no payment or transfer of assets to him

Acting for a third party company in Schedule I proceedings alongside corporate advisors. A charge was placed on the father’s shares in a company as security for outstanding maintenance payments. The charge was lifted to enable the company to proceed with a significant transition event and an alternative form of security was found to protect the mother

Acting for an unmarried mother in securing financial support for a child from a high profile father who did not acknowledge the child

Acting for the financially weaker spouse in a same sex marriage and obtaining a significant financial award for the client in circumstances where the other spouse asserted that there was no claim

Advising a large Family Office in relation to a long term strategy for wealth protection for future generations, in the event of relationship breakdown or divorce

Negotiating a pre-nuptial agreement on behalf of a multi-millionaire heiress in order to ring-fence pre-marital dynastic assets

Securing a negotiated settlement on a favourable clean break basis on behalf of a husband client, preserving a family business based in Mayfair

Legal 500, Leading Associate, 2025 & 2026

Chambers UK, Associate to Watch, 2021 – 2026

Chambers HNW, Associate to Watch, 2022 – 2025

Legal 500, Rising Stars, 2022 – 2024

Family Law Awards, Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year – Shortlisted, 2019

EprivateClient Top 35 Under 35, 2017

Tolley’s Estate Planning, Family law chapter

Resolution

University of Cambridge

Qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and trained with Boodle Hatfield

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Recommended by Alexandra

8 min read 15 Oct 2025 PFDRs putting clients first – Alexandra Hirst writes in TL4 HNW Divorce Magazine

What makes a Private Financial Dispute Resolution (PFDR) hearing such an effective and flexible way to settle financial matters? Family Senior Associate, Alexandra Hirst, explains PFDR and outlines how preparation, clear communication and a tailored approach can help clients navigate the process confidently without proceeding to a final court hearing.

 Read more 2 min read 09 Oct 2025 Standish v Standish: where does the Supreme Court stand?

What does the Supreme Court’s ruling in Standish v Standish mean for tax planning and the treatment of inter-spousal transfers? In STEP Journal, Partner and Head of Family, Emily Brand, analyses how the judgment confirms that assets transferred between spouses for tax efficiency are unlikely to be treated as matrimonial property. The decision offers reassurance to both family and tax practitioners and emphasises the importance of maintaining clear documentation to protect non-matrimonial assets.

 Read more 2 min read 24 Sep 2025 Katie O’Callaghan speaks at the 5th Family Business Disputes Forum 2025

Family businesses face unique challenges when dealing with divorce. Family Partner and Mediator, Katie O’Callaghan will offer her insights at the Family Business Disputes Forum 2025. She will be joined by Frederick Tatham, Paul Hardman and Camilla Baldwin to discuss strategies to safeguard businesses, navigate divorce without disruption and share practical lessons from real-life cases.

 Read more 7 min read 04 Sep 2025 Advising families: Reflections from the STEP Family Businesses book launch

Back in June, we celebrated the launch of the STEP Business Families and Family Businesses Handbook with a distinguished panel of advisers and family business experts. The evening explored the evolving challenges of advising family businesses, from succession planning and governance to the human and interpersonal dynamics that shape long-term success.

 Read more