A woman who \u201csacrificed\u201d her career as a solicitor so she could look after her children has won compensation on top of an equal share of the family\u2019s wealth after her divorce.<\/p>\n
The ruling could have implications for other divorce cases in which one partner has stepped back from their career for the good of the family, a lawyer said.<\/p>\n
The Cambridge graduate was embroiled in a fight over cash with her millionaire husband, who is also a solicitor, after the breakdown of their marriage.<\/p>\n
A judge has decided the pair, who were married for about a decade and have two children, should split assets of nearly \u00a310 million equally but that the woman should get another \u00a3400,000 in compensation for curtailing her legal career.<\/p>\n
Mr Justice Moor said there had been \u201crelationship-generated disadvantage\u201d as the husband was still able to enjoy a \u201cstellar\u201d career.<\/p>\n
\u201c[The woman] viewed herself as the parent who would take primary responsibility for the children,\u201d he said. \u201cThe husband\u2019s career took precedence. I accept that it is unusual to find significant relationship-generated disadvantage that may lead to a claim for compensation but I am clear that this is one such case.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have come to the conclusion that an appropriate sum to award for relationship-generated disadvantage, over and above her half share of the assets, is the sum of \u00a3400,000.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jane Keir, a lawyer with Kingsley Napley LLP, represented the woman and said the case could have implications for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a talented lawyer, our client sacrificed a potentially lucrative career for her family and to care for the children,\u201d she said. \u201cAlthough Mr Justice Moor has made clear this decision should not open the floodgates to a raft of relationship-generated disadvantage claims, the judgment affirms that in truly exceptional circumstances the principle of compensation still exists in family law, and rightly so.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn theory, this would apply to whichever partner steps back in their career putting family ahead of ambition and earning power.\u201d<\/p>\n
Details of the case emerged in a ruling produced by Moor after a recent private family court trial in London. He said the couple, who live in London and are both in their 40s, could not be identified in media reports.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dominiclevent.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/footer-300x100.png\")
<\/a>