In the first of a two-part analysis Suzanne Kingston, Stacy Choong, Philippa Hewitt and Natalie O’Shea set out a comparison of family law in England and Wales, Hong Kong and Singapore ‘As family law in England and Wales has evolved to fit the times, so the laws in Hong Kong and Singapore have changed in …
Continue reading "International Focus: Same difference?"
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Wills & Trusts Law Reports | January/February 2015 #146This was an application for ancillary relief following the wife’s divorce petition of October 2012, upon which decree nisi was pronounced on 17 April 2013. At the time of these proceedings the wife was 44 years of age, and the husband was 41. On paper, the husband had almost no assets and a modest income. However, the husband came from a family of great wealth with substantial lands in Pembrokeshire which they had owned for generations. His financial security was therefore absolutely assured.
The wife and the husband had first met in 1999. They had married in February 200...
Amy Harris sets out the courts’ approach to cases in which assets derive from a personal injury award ‘The overarching principle of sharing has to be tempered to take into account the particular needs of the recipient of the personal injury award, the manner in which it was acquired and also the fact that it …
Continue reading "Personal Injury Awards: Determining priorities"
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Philippa Hewitt explores the impact of Radmacher on the approach to marital agreements in Hong Kong ‘In Hong Kong, the wording of the relevant matrimonial legislation is very similar to that of England and Wales and, for that reason, the courts tend to look to English case law to assist in interpreting that law.’ Prior …
Continue reading "International Focus: Overseas influence"
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Suzanne Todd and Luca Del Panta examine the future of pre-nups in the light of the Law Commission’s report ‘“Needs” in the context of a pre-nuptial agreement can be significantly less than they would otherwise be. But where the guillotine falls in any given case is intensely fact-specific.’ When, in October 2010, the Supreme Court …
Continue reading "Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Turning of the tide"
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Suzanne Kingston, Adele Pledger and Paulina Sandler examine whether the long-awaited Law Commission recommendations on marital agreements will result in change, or business as usual ‘Lawyers will be responsible for advising clients of the rights they may be giving up in signing a QNA and will be required to sign a statement to that effect.’ …
Continue reading "International Focus: Plus ça change"
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Ellie Foster sets out the implications of any gaps in a marital agreement and the importance of needs in big money ‘The marriage settlement could be disregarded as it did not provide secure English housing for the wife nor did it prevent a claim for maintenance’. The decision of Moor J in AH v PH …
Continue reading "Marital Agreements: Re-opening the door"
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In the first of a two-part analysis Che Meakins discusses different types of agreements between parties in family proceedings and their impact ‘Unless there are “compelling reasons to the contrary”, an agreement should be given effect to where it is freely entered into by both parties.’ The rise of alternative dispute resolution methods may make …
Continue reading "Marital Agreements: Final word"
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Sonny Patel sets out the courts’ approach to inherited assets and steps that can be taken to protect the interests of parties ‘The duration of the marriage, and the duration of the time the wealth had been enjoyed by the parties, will be relevant, so too their standard of living and the extent to which …
Continue reading "Inherited Assets: Defining assets"
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Amy Harris contemplates the finality of separation agreements and applications to show cause ‘The court found that both parties gained from the agreement in one way or another and it was not until 20 years later that the wife sought to revisit the separation agreement on the basis that she had fallen upon hard times.’ …
Continue reading "Separation Agreements: No second chance"
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