There was a high level of anticipation for the introduction of ‘no fault’ divorce in April 2022. Coined as ‘ending the blame game’, it was considered by many as not only an obvious and necessary reform, but also substantially overdue given the ‘no fault’ divorce landscape of other jurisdictions. For many practicing in this area, the drafting of ‘unreasonable behaviour’ particulars for the basis of a divorce petition feels like a distant memory. So, what have we seen in practice? How has the removal of assigning fault played out and what are the noticeable implications three years on? Considering statistics following […]

On 2 July, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released information about the number of divorces in England and Wales. In 2023 (the most recent year for which statistics are available), there were 102,678 divorces (and dissolutions of Civil Partnerships); of those, the Ministry of Justice tell us that 40,873 financial arrangements were litigated to an outcome through the court, which means that the remainder were sorted out by the parties round the kitchen table, left unaddressed (possible but risky) or through recognised non-court dispute resolution (NCDR). NCDR is, rightly, increasingly popular as it gives the parties greater autonomy in […]

Mila had been dating her boyfriend for a year when she got pregnant. They had been keen to have a child together, but shifting into “nesting mode” gave Mila fresh eyes. Her boyfriend would constantly dodge basic tasks like grocery shopping, she said, telling her he didn’t know “how to do it,” even if she gave him an itemized list. She said she shouldered the cooking and cleaning, even as intense pregnancy symptoms left her sick and depressed. “You know everything, inside and out, about your favorite car. All the things that you truly care about, you know all the […]

If you are in this situation and are concerned about future finances, Jones Myers Partner Nicki Mitchell – a Mediator, Child Inclusive Mediator and Collaborative Family Lawyer – shares insights on the pitfalls to avoid. Be Open and Honest  Not sharing financial information during a relationship can contribute to problems during divorce proceedings. One spouse may have no idea where the budget line is – or even where it should be drawn – and may have unrealistic expectations of what they are entitled to, or what is a realistic and affordable.  One spouse may have hidden savings or income from […]

Every so often, like it or not, financial advisors are pulled into a client’s divorce proceedings. And every so often private equity assets need to be divided during those negotiations. And every so often it gets tricky, even for separating couples with clear prenuptial agreements. Private equity assets can be particularly challenging to divide in a divorce due to two key factors: illiquidity and valuation delays. These investments are typically locked up for two to 10 years, meaning the assets aren’t readily accessible or easily liquidated at the time of divorce. “Private market valuations are often delayed and can fluctuate […]

A sham trust hid significant assets a High Court ruling has found resulting in an award worth £15m being transferred from an ex husband to his wife.  Mario Michael was a prolific property investor and developer in North London who had an interest in over 200 properties. Divorce proceedings against Mr Michael were commenced by his wife, Stalo Michael, in 2022 following a 22 year marriage. The case has been running over the course of three years with a judgement published following the final hearing in May which found the true value of Mr Michael’s interests in his property investment […]

How far should the Competition Appeal Tribunal (‘CAT’) go in shaping its proceedings in a way that makes it affordable for the claimant to pursue its claim?  That was the question at the heart of the CAT’s judgment this week, deciding on case management issues in Yew Freight Trading Limited v Puro Ventures Limited [2025] CAT 46. The proceedings are a claim by a company, Yew Freight, concerning arrangements operated by the defendant, Puro Ventures, relating to the UK-wide promotion and supply of courier services under Puro Ventures’ brand, ‘Speedy Freight’.  Yew Freight is one of a number of ‘franchisees’ […]

There were more than 655m class members of actions in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) at the end of 2024 – equivalent to 10.4 class actions for every person in the country – according to new research. The cumulative value of UK class actions overall increased by 10% to over £134bn last year, although the number of new actions filed fell to 33, from 39 in 2023 and 74 in 2020. Class actions are made up of collective actions in the CAT, representative actions, group litigation orders and omnibus claims forms. For the first time the values of opt-in and […]

Lucy Theobald at The Family Law Company examines a recent high-profile divorce case which has drawn national attention, not only for its eye-watering settlement of over £230 million ($307 million), but for the legal and ethical principles it highlighted. It what appears to be the third-largest divorce award in English legal history, Lucy Theobald (pictured), director at The Family Law Company, examines the case. The editors are pleased to share these insights; the usual editorial disclaimers apply to views of guest writers. To comment, email tom.burroughes@wealthbriefing.com and amanda.cheesley@clearviewpublishing.com The couple in question had been married for 20 years before introducing a post-nuptial agreement […]

We surveyed myriad counseling professionals and relationship experts to gain compelling insights into the top reason most couples end their marriages. According to the survey, the top reason most couples end up divorced is communication problems. NDAB Creativity via Shutterstock Communication problems, followed by infidelity and “not spending enough time together/not mutually prioritizing the marriage.” Unfortunately, 54% of experts polled agree with the assertion made by author Dana Adam Shapiro that only 17% of marriages are happy. However, relationship coach Meri Arnett-Kremian is skeptical, explaining, “I’m suspicious of the bias of his interviewees since they were talking about the breakup […]

Andy Byron, the former CEO of data orchestration company Astronomer, became the focus of intense online scrutiny after a video from a Coldplay concert on July 16 at Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts, captured a private moment between him and the company’s Chief People Officer (CPO), Kristin Cabot. The video, which quickly went viral across platforms like TikTok and Reddit, showed the pair in what many deemed an intimate embrace on the stadium jumbotron—prompting speculation, memes, and professional consequences.Despite the public embarrassment and media frenzy, legal experts now say Byron may face no financial penalty in his pending divorce due to the […]

A recent, headline-grabbing divorce settlement — valued at over £230 million — has served as more than just tabloid fodder. Ranking as the third-highest financial award in English divorce history, the case shines a spotlight on the fragile legal footing of post-nuptial agreements, especially when one party exerts dominance over the other. The couple had been married for two decades before a post-nuptial agreement was drawn up in 2023. Heavily skewed in the husband’s favour, the terms were presumed by him to be enforceable. Yet, the judge took a very different stance. It was found that the agreement had not […]

Separation and divorce are a reality for many families. “Half of all children experience the breakup of their parents’ relationship before the age of 16,” says Arizona State University Assistant Professor Karey O’Hara. And while some children struggle with the emotional toll of family conflict, others show remarkable resilience. So what makes the difference? Why this research matters Research is the invisible hand that powers America’s progress. It unlocks discoveries and creates opportunity. It develops new technologies and new ways of doing things. Learn more about ASU discoveries that are contributing to changing the world and making America the world’s […]

Posted by Matthew Pascall, legal director – head of commercial at Legal Futures Associate Temple Legal Protection The Arbitration Act 2025 came into force last week and, with growing judicial momentum behind mediation as well, commercial litigation solicitors will need to consider how these changes could affect both their working practices and clients. There are a number of factors at play here – a decline in Commercial Court claims, uncertainty surrounding third-party funding following the PACCAR ruling, and increased judicial and legislative support for alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Recent court decisions are also reinforcing ADR’s role – not just as […]

She had green eyes that “could see through walls”, Chris remembers, not unruefully. When he and his Russian girlfriend broke up, Chris, originally from Sussex and now living in Maine in the US, admits he had Siberia (Elena came from the city of Novosibirsk) on the mind. He did the obvious thing: went and got a pair of three-month-old Siberian husky puppies: Loki and Freja, brother and sister – also with piercing eyes, but icy blue, especially Loki’s. “People would just stop on the street as he walked by.” Chris had owned dogs before– labradors. “I figured that huskies were […]

Thinking of getting hitched again? Discover the vital lessons couples can learn from their previous relationships to help them build better, stronger partnerships next time around After my first marriage crumbled in 2017, I swore I would never walk down the aisle again. Freshly heartbroken, I decided I would date casually, and leave it at that. So, marriage was the last thing on my mind when I met my current partner in 2023. What started as a laid-back coffee date in a nearby cafe transitioned into a serious connection, with my partner proposing to me only three months later. But […]

Separated parents going abroad with their children have been warned about six crucial documents they need to bring with them this summer, or they may be denied travel. Travelling with your child without the consent of the other parent could get you into a lot of trouble(Image: Getty Images/PhotoAlto) Divorced parents face the prospect of being refused entry at airports without the proper paperwork, experts have cautioned. Separated mums and dads have been alerted about six essential documents required for summer travel. Travelling without the consent of the other parent could be considered child abduction under UK law. Therefore, it’s […]