Divorce law update

Charman v Charman [2007] EWCA Civ 503, [2007] All ER (D) 425 (May)

The much publicised appeal by Mr Charman of an Order made by Mr Justice Coleridge on 27 June 2006 was heard between 6 to 8 March 2007 before the president of the Family Division, Lord Justice Thorpe and Lord Justice Wilson. A judgment of the court was handed down on 24 May 2007.
The parties were married for nearly 28 years. They had two children aged 24 and 20. Mr Charman had enjoyed an extremely successful career in insurance. Coleridge J found that the parties’ assets amounted to £131m of which, upon the agreed basis that Mr Charman would transfer his interest in the former matrimonial home to Mrs Charman, Mrs Charman held £8m and Mr Charman held £123m. Mrs Charman conceded that Mr Charman’s financial contribution had been of such magnitude as to justify a departure from equality. Coleridge J ordered that Mr Charman should make a lump sum payment to