Finances on Divorce

We acted for W in a high-value divorce where the parties sought a consent order with minimal disclosure. The husband’s poor health meant the process had to be completed quickly while protecting our client’s interests. Assets included holiday homes, hospitality businesses, properties in London and France and a car collection worth £7m – £13m. The agreed settlement involved share and land transfers plus £6m paid in instalments over five years. Our team secured title numbers, obtained valuations, and ensured robust security for payments given health risks and asset complexity.

Outcome: A fair settlement was achieved, safeguarding our client’s financial future and mitigating risk.

We represented the wife in a contested divorce after 50 years of marriage involving an international business, family home, commercial land and pensions. She wished to retain her shareholding and remain active in the business. At an interim hearing, the judge endorsed our approach: selling the family home and ensuring her continued income through business involvement with robust governance. The husband’s Gibraltar pension couldn’t be shared in the UK, so we arranged an onshore transfer for future sharing. Our teams advised on financial proceedings, corporate matters and land sale, protecting her interests and director duties. Pragmatic offers avoided a costly final hearing.

Outcome: Our client retained business involvement and secured long-term financial stability.

We advised the husband in enforcement proceedings after delays in selling an insurance claims processing business, as required by a 2021 settlement. The wife sought enforcement and opposed a management buy-out (MBO), preferring a market sale that risked a lower price. After extensive negotiations involving corporate lawyers and business sale experts, the wife agreed to the MBO. The divorce order was amended so the husband retained his shareholding, and the wife was bought out, delivering a significantly better financial result than a market sale. No costs were awarded to the wife in her enforcement application.

Outcome: The husband secured a superior financial position and avoided additional costs.

We acted for the wife in financial remedy proceedings after failed negotiations with her tech entrepreneur husband. Assets included joint shareholdings in medical companies across two jurisdictions, 16 trusts, pensions and luxury vehicles. The case involved disputed non-matrimonial property, health concerns and earning capacity, requiring expert reports on health, pensions, property valuations, tax and trust structures. The wife also engaged shadow experts for financial analysis to strengthen her position.

Outcome: Our strategic approach ensured robust preparation for a fair settlement in a highly complex case.